Rimini Airport is using its role as host of Routes Europe 2026 to reposition itself within the European aviation market, with CEO Leonardo Corbucci describing the city as an “undiscovered gem” ready to attract new airline partners.
Corbucci says the event provides a platform to showcase the airport’s growth potential and shift industry perception. “The message is that Rimini is like a diamond that has not yet been fully discovered,” he tells Aviation Week.
The airport is targeting key European source markets including Germany, France, Spain and the UK, which Corbucci identified as priority areas for expansion based on existing demand patterns.
Germany currently represents the largest inbound tourism market for the region, yet connectivity remains limited, highlighting a significant opportunity for growth.
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The UK is also seen as a strong opportunity, with existing London services forming a base for further expansion into additional regional routes.
Corbucci says Routes Europe will be used to engage airlines directly and communicate a clear proposition centred on untapped demand, a growing tourism economy and a complementary role within the Emilia-Romagna airport system.
Rather than competing with Bologna, Rimini is positioning itself as part of a broader regional network, focused on capturing underserved demand and relieving pressure on larger hubs.
“We want to show the industry that Rimini has potential and that now is the right moment to invest,” Corbucci says.
The airport is also highlighting emerging opportunities in longer-haul and developing markets, including the Middle East. Corbucci adds that hosting Routes Europe marks a turning point in raising the airport’s profile internationally, with the aim of converting interest into new routes and airline partnerships.
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