Routes Europe Officially Handed Over To 2027 Hosts
On the final day of Routes Europe 2026, the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Rimini, and Rimini and San Marino International Airport formally handed over hosting responsibilities for Routes Europe to Fraport TAV Antalya Airport.
Routes Europe is staged annually in different host destinations, uniting senior decision-makers from airlines, airports and tourism authorities to support air network development across Europe and beyond. The 2027 event is expected to welcome industry leaders for more than 5,000 face-to-face meetings, providing a powerful platform to establish partnerships that drive sustainable air service growth.
Located on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, Antalya is one of the region’s leading leisure destinations and a key market for airlines during both peak and shoulder seasons. The destination recorded its highest-ever visitor number per year in 2025, highlighting growing demand as Antalya continues to broaden its offering in cultural, adventure, sports, events and eco-tourism with year-round flights.
Operated by a joint venture between TAV Airports and Fraport, Fraport TAV Antalya Airport is Turkey’s second busiest airport in terms of international traffic. An EUR 865 million expansion completed in April 2025 more than doubled terminal and airside capacity, increasing the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 65 million.
In 2025, Antalya Airport handled a record 39.2 million passengers, underlining its central role in supporting tourism growth across the destination. By hosting Routes Europe 2027, Antalya will further showcase its appeal as a year-round destination to the European aviation community.
With more than 100 airline partners and a network exceeding 200 destinations, Antalya Airport continues to strengthen its connectivity across Europe and beyond. Recent route announcements include SunExpress’ introduction of Memmingen and planned launch of Podgorica flights, and new services from Bratislava and Timisoara, Jet2.com’s new London Gatwick service, easyJet’s new Newcastle service, Centrum Air’s and Qanot Sharq’s planned new Tashkent services, and planned new routes of Uzbekistan Airways from Samarkand and Fergana.
By consistently bringing together Europe’s route development community, Routes Europe has delivered tangible results, with more than half of Europe’s new air services linked to meetings held at the event. Senior executives, including vice presidents and heads of network planning from 120 of Europe’s leading airlines, are expected to attend the 2027 edition in Antalya.
Serkan Karahatay, Fraport TAV Antalya Airport CCO, said: Hosting Routes Europe 2027 in Antalya is a significant opportunity to showcase both our airport’s expanded infrastructure and the unique proposition of Antalya as a year-round global tourism destination. With our expanded passenger terminal capacity, growing connectivity and strong collaboration across the aviation and tourism sectors, we are proud to welcome Europe’s route development community to Antalya. We look forward to creating an inspiring platform for new partnerships that will support sustainable growth for airlines, tour operators, destinations and the wider regional economy.
Steven Small, VP of Events at Routes, said: “Antalya has seen increasing popularity as a yearround destination for European travellers. As we approach the 20th edition of Routes Europe, Antalya Airport will be ideally positioned to showcase its significant infrastructure investment and expanded capacity to senior decision-makers from more than 120 airlines. Antalya truly offers something for every type of traveller, and I’m confident the event will further cement the airport’s role as a leading driver of tourism and connectivity.”
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