Press Release: Routes Europe 2026 Brings Europe’s Leading Airline Decision Makers to Rimini

The 19^th edition of Routes Europe welcomes vice presidents and heads of network planning from over 120 of the region’s leading airlines to Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. Taking place over three days, Routes Europe 2026 will facilitate more than 5,000 pre‑scheduled meetings between airlines, airports, tourism authorities and aviation suppliers. These discussions are designed to shape future air connectivity across Europe and drive sustainable growth in regional and international air services.

Routes Europe continues to attract the highest concentration of senior network planning decision‑makers in the European route development community. Attending airlines include easyJet, British Airways, Eurowings, Wizz Air, Jet2.com, Vueling, Volotea, Transavia Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, United Airlines and China Southern Airlines, among many others. View the attendee list.

In addition to its extensive meetings programme, Routes Europe will deliver exclusive insight into emerging route development strategies and the commercial considerations shaping Europe’s future air networks. The conference programme will feature more than 30 speakers, including senior airline executives, industry association leaders and specialist suppliers. Highlights include:

• Chief Commercial Officer of Wizz Air, Ian Malin, will discuss the airline’s network expansion strategy and response to evolving market demand.
• Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E), will examine the changing dynamics of the European airline industry.
• Montserrat Barriga, Director General of European Regions Airline Associarion (ERA), will provide a comprehensive overview of the regional airline market.
• Chief Commercial Officer of Aeroitalia, Massimo Di Perna, will outline the carrier’s approach to route development in a shifting aviation landscape.

The 2026 event is hosted by the Emilia‑Romagna Region, the Municipality of Rimini and Rimini and San Marino International Airport. The region is a leading tourist destination in Europe for both leisure and business travel thanks to its authentic Italian offerings, and a highly specialised and developed hospitality industry. Rimini Airport (RMI) plays a vital role in supporting the region’s growing visitor numbers. As Emilia-Romagna’s second-largest airport, RMI has the capacity to expand and meet increasing demand.

Steven Small, Vice President of Air Transport Events – Informa Markets, said: “Rimini offers an exceptional combination of strong tourism credentials and a clear ambition to grow air connectivity. With an airport ready to support expansion, the destination provides an ideal setting for constructive, high‑level discussions between airlines, airports and tourism partners. By hosting Routes Europe, Rimini has a unique opportunity to showcase its long‑term potential and position itself at the heart of future network development decisions.”

Small added: “Independent analysis has shown that previous host destination airport networks have grown around 6.9% more than their comparators after three years.”

Jamil Sadegholvaad, Mayor of Rimini and President of Visit Romagna, said: "Rimini welcomes Routes Europe 2026 with immense enthusiasm. In recent years, Rimini has established itself as a European tourism capital that successfully blends its traditional soul with modern ambition. We have the drive to fly even higher by further developing our airport and strengthening its connections with hubs across the globe. For us, hosting this summit is far more than just an event; it is a fundamental pillar of our future success."

Regional Councillor for Tourism, Sport, and Commerce, Roberta Frisoni, said: "Bringing Routes Europe here testifies to Emilia-Romagna's leadership in the international tourism scene and the global aviation market, while highlighting the professional excellence of the Rimini Convention Bureau. Over these three days of meetings and debates, we will outline the future trajectories of our tourism development through a network involving the Region, local authorities, and businesses. Increasing air connections in synergy with our logistics and cruise infrastructure is essential to our goal of making Emilia-Romagna a destination that is increasingly easy to reach from all over the world. This event provides a unique platform for guests to experience the absolute excellence of our territory, from the Motor and Food Valleys to our world-renowned hospitality."

Michele de Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, said: "Routes Europe represents an extraordinary opportunity to place Emilia-Romagna’s airport system at the centre of international attention and generate concrete results for the growth of regional air traffic. We are not merely observers of this growth; we are protagonists in a challenge concerning the competitiveness and future of our entire region. Our strategy is based on a unified regional vision that values the specific strengths of each hub—from Marconi in Bologna and Fellini in Rimini to the airports of Parma and Forlì. By integrating infrastructure investments, such as the development of the Ravenna cruise terminal, with targeted policies like the abolition of the council tax for smaller hubs, we ensure that competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and territorial quality advance together to benefit the entire country."

Leonardo Corbucci, CEO of AIRiminum 2014 S.p.A., said: "We are very proud to host Routes Europe 2026 in Rimini, an appointment that confirms the credibility of our airport system and the region's ability to attract global investment. Bringing the leading airline decision-makers here places our territory at the heart of the European aviation market and reinforces Rimini’s position as the natural gateway to the Riviera Romagnola. This event follows the recent presentation of our new airport district, a strategic industrial project designed to create development opportunities across the city and the wider territory. It is a vital step in consolidating our vision, strengthening international connections, and creating lasting value for our region."