PROGRAMME

The 2026 edition of ACI EUROPE’s Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition in Torino offers a high-calibre agenda crafted specifically for Europe’s regional aviation community. Our speaker line-up and hand-picked topics promise rich insights and practical strategies tailored to the realities of regional airports and their business communities. 

The organisers may adjust session schedules and timings. This page will be updated regularly to reflect any changes.

08:30 – 17:00 ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Forum meeting

MONDAY, 27 April 2026

08:30 – 17:00

Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano, Sala Codici

Invitation required, contact: julia.gawlicka@aci-europe.org 

MONDAY, 27 April 2026

12:00 – 21:30

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

MONDAY, 27 April 2026

19:30 – 21:30

Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano, Aula della Camera Italiana

08:30 – 09:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee  - Networking

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

08:30 – 09:00

Networking

Principi di Piemonte, Foyer

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

09:00 – 09:00

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Ella Soltani
Managing Director
To70 Belgium

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

09:05 – 09:20

Welcome Address

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Andrea Andorno, CEO of host Torino Airport and Chair of the ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Forum, is delighted to welcome you to the 17th edition of the Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition.

Andrea Andorno
Chief Executive Officer
Torino Airport

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

09:05 – 09:20

Address

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Our political address comes from Albert Cirio, President of the Regional Government of Piedmont. Albert is also Head of the Italian delegation to the Committee of the Regions in Brussels: giving him invaluable perspectives from both a regional, and pan-European, level. He will set the scene for RACE 2026 with a special address on the importance of regional air connectivity – enhanced with his keen knowledge of the high-level European political scenario.
Alberto Cirio
President
Regional Government of Piedmont

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

09:35 – 10:05

Presentation

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Director General of ACI EUROPE Olivier Jankovec’s renowned ‘State of the Regional Airport Industry’ address offers an exclusive analysis of the key challenges facing the regional airport industry.   

Geopolitics, shifting strategic priorities, economic viability, decarbonisation: the State of the Regional Airport Industry charts the way forward in turbulent skies. A must-not-miss for all attendees.   

Olivier Jankovec
Olivier Jankovec
Director General
ACI EUROPE

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

10:05 – 11:00

Panel

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

In a rare opportunity to hear directly from the regional airport leaders shaping today’s industry, explore the opportunities and challenges with perspectives straight from the top.   

How are these leaders reshaping airport strategies around traffic and demand trends? How are they leading innovative approaches to enhance sustainability? What are the key investment opportunities – and greatest obstacles to unlocking revenue growth? How can regional airports strengthen their socioeconomic impact, and build partnerships that simultaneously unlock growth and build local support?   

Discover the answers to these questions through strategic insights from leaders: an exclusive opportunity to hear Europe-wide CEO perspectives. 

Philippe Crebassa, Chief Executive Officer, Toulouse Airport

Philippe Crebassa
Chief Executive Officer
Toulouse Blagnac Airport

Alison FitzGerald, Chief Executive Officer, London City Airport

Alison FitzGerald
Chief Executive Officer
London City Airport

Anna Midera

Anna Midera
Chief Executive Officer
Łódź Airport

Lotta Sandsgaard, Chief Executive Officer, Aarhus Airport

Lotta Sandsgaard
Chief Executive Officer
Aarhus Airport

Enrico Malato

Enrico Malato
Director General & Accountable Manager
Trapani Airport

Moderated by
Leonard Berberi

Leonard Berberi
Journalist
Corriere della Sera

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

11:00 – 11:40

Networking

Principi di Piemonte, Foyer

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

11:40 – 12:00

Interview

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

State aid is a vital topic for regional airports. ACI EUROPE has long advocated for operating aid to Europe’s regional airports to be extended to safeguard vital air connectivity. But what is the view of the European Commission? The 2027 deadline for phasing out State aid – currently under review – is fast approaching. This fireside chat will bring you the latest updates.

 
Barbara Brandtner-2

Barbara Brandtner
Director
Directorate-General for Competition
European Commission

Interviewed by
Annabelle Lepièce

Annabelle Lepièce
Partner, Head of Competition
CMS Belgium

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

12:00 – 12:20

Interview

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Every regional airport is aware of how Low-Cost Carriers have transformed air connectivity, transformed demand patterns, and redefined travel across the globe. But how do these airlines see the road ahead?  

This session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the other side – from the airlines themselves. What drives their route strategies and capacity decisions? How are sustainability targets reshaping their work? Their perspective is essential to fully understanding the aviation ecosystem.  

This discussion will provide you with invaluable airline insights on routes, capacity, cost pressures and competition. Gain direct insight into how airports can better align with LCC priorities, strengthen airport-airline partnerships, and find the recipe for success in an increasingly competitive market. 

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

12:20 – 13:00

Panel

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Regional airports are in a new market paradigm: the increasing buyer power of the airlines in Europe squeezes Europe’s airports ever further as they strive for financial stability and resilience.  

As a result, regional airports must evolve their approach to airline marketing and route development to stay ahead. How are regional airports confronting, and overcoming, this fraught reality – whilst ensuring sustainability of their business and connectivity growth?  Above all, how do they stay resilient despite the constant level of route openings and closures – the so-called route churn?   

The answer to these important questions requires a pan-industry view. This panel brings together Ultra Low-Cost Carriers, regional travel and tourism representatives, and airport specialists to give you a picture of the market today – and how collaboration and business acumen dictate the rules. 

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

13:00 – 14:10

Networking

Principi di Piemonte, Foyer

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

14:10 – 14:50

Panel

Piemonte di Principi, Salone delle Feste

Non-aeronautical revenue plays an increasingly important role in airports’ revenue mix and supports their business transformation.   

This masterclass will explore the key trends and strategies you need to know – from AI and the digitalisation of passenger experience, personalisation in all forms – and how grasping the reins of these trends will unlock valuable revenue streams beyond traditional passenger traffic. Learn how to cater to emerging traveller demographics, from the spending power of the ‘silvers’ to the digital expectations of Gen-Z.   

Revitalise your own strategies with inspiration from industry success stories – including adapting product mixes to leisure passengers, developing cross working relationships with media and retailers, and developing a sense of place within your products.   

Prepare for departure: your journey to mastering non-aeronautical revenue starts here. 

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

14:50 – 15:10

Case Study Presentation

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Discover how Maastricht Aachen Airport, winner of the ACI EUROPE Eco-Innovation Award 2025, is redefining regional air mobility with Electrifly – Europe’s first international electric flights open to the general public.

Launched in the summer of 2024, Electrifly connected Maastricht (NL), Liège (BE), and Aachen (DE) through a fully electric, cross-border travel experience combining zero-emission air and ground transport. Developed with FH Aachen, ASL Group, and NIO, the project demonstrated the real-world potential of electric air and ground transport. 

Join this session to explore how Maastricht Aachen Airport is expanding on this project to deliver the future of electric regional aviation. 

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

15:10 – 15:50

Networking

Piemonte di Principi, Foyer

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

15:50 – 16:40

Case Study Presentation

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

Regional airports are testbeds for the industry’s innovations – and we’ll prove it here.   

Discover the hottest innovations driving the future of regional airports in this Dragon’s Den style session. Each airport will have 10 minutes to present their initiatives and projects, from autonomous jet bridges to machine learning-powered capacity predictions.   

Expect to leave buzzing with ideas – and convinced that innovation truly takes off at regional airports. 

Grzegorz Tuszyński
Grzegorz Tuszyński
Director
Warsaw Radom Airport 
Franco Cornarino

Franco Cornarino
Innovation & Digital Manager
Torino Airport

Pablo Lopez Loeches
Pablo Lopez Loeches
Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship
Aena
Niall MacCarthy
Niall MacCarthy
Managing Director
Cork Airport
Moderated by
Chloe Greenbank
Chloe Greenbank
Editor
Regional Gateway

 

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

16:40 – 16:50

Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

16:50 – 17:15

Interview

Piemonte di Principi, Salone delle Feste

The perfect end to a day full of inspiration and innovation, Master of Ceremonies Ella Soltani (To70 Aviation) will summarise the key takeaways with Andrea Andorno, CEO of host Torino Airport and Chair of the ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Forum.

Ella Soltani
Managing Director
To70 Belgium
Andrea Andorno
Chief Executive Officer
Torino Airport

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

18:30

TUESDAY, 28 April 2026

19:30 – 22:30

Networking

Reggia di Venaria

10:30 Shuttle Bus departure from the hotel

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

10:30

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

11:00 – 12:30

Torino Airport

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

19:30 – 21:30