PROGRAMME
The 2026 edition of ACI EUROPE’s Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition in Torino offered a high-calibre agenda crafted specifically for Europe’s regional aviation community. Our speaker line-up and hand-picked topics provided rich insights and practical strategies tailored to the realities of regional airports and their business communities.
08:30 - 17:00
ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Forum meeting (reserved for RAF Members only)
MONDAY, 27 April 2026
Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano, Sala Codici
Proudly supported by the Torino Chamber of Commerce
12:00 – 20:00
Exhibition Setup & Delegate Registration
MONDAY, 27 April 2026
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
19:30 – 21:30
Welcome Reception
MONDAY, 27 April 2026
Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano, Aula della Camera Italiana
Proudly supported by the Torino Chamber of Commerce
08:30 - 09:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Networking
Principi di Piemonte, Foyer
09:00 - 09:05
Official Opening by Master of Ceremonies
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
Ella Soltani
Commercial Lead Europe
To70 Aviation
09:05 - 09:15
Welcome from the Host Airport & Chair of RAF
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Welcome Address
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
Andrea Andorno, CEO of host Torino Airport and Chair of the ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Forum, warmly welcomed participants to the 17th edition of the Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition.
Chief Executive Officer, Torino AirportChief Executive Officer
Torino Airport
09:15 - 09:30
Political Address
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Address
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
The Regional Government of Piedmont delivered the political address, setting the scene for RACE 2026 with a special address on the importance of regional air connectivity.
09:30 – 10:00
The State of the Regional Airport Industry
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Presentation
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
Director General of ACI EUROPE Olivier Jankovec delivered his renowned “State of the Regional Airport Industry” address, where the key challenges facing the regional airport industry were discussed in detail.
Geopolitics, shifting strategic priorities, economic viability and decarbonisation were among the main topics explored, with the address concluding by charting the way forward in turbulent skies.
10:00 - 10:50
The View from the Top – CEO Panel
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Panel
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
The session offered a rare opportunity to hear directly from regional airport leaders shaping today’s industry, exploring key opportunities and challenges through perspectives straight from the top.
Speakers discussed how regional airport leaders are reshaping strategies around traffic and demand trends, leading innovative approaches to sustainability, identifying key investment opportunities, and addressing the main obstacles to unlocking revenue growth. The discussion also explored how regional airports can strengthen their socioeconomic impact and build partnerships that support both growth and local engagement.
The session brought together strategic insights from senior airport leaders, offering an exclusive Europe-wide CEO perspective on the future of regional airports.
Philippe Crebassa
Chief Executive Officer
Toulouse Blagnac Airport
Anna Midera
Chief Executive Officer
Łódź Airport
Enrico Maria Malato
Director General
Trapani–Birgi Airport
Moderated by
Leonard Berberi
Journalist
Corriere della Sera
10:50 - 11:20
Networking & Coffee in the Exhibition Area
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Networking
Principi di Piemonte, Foyer
11:20 - 11:40
Fireside Chat with the European Commission on State Aid
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Interview
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
State aid was addressed as a vital topic for regional airports. ACI EUROPE has long advocated for operating aid to Europe’s regional airports to be extended in order to safeguard vital air connectivity.
The fireside chat explored the European Commission’s perspective, particularly in view of the 2027 deadline for phasing out State aid, which is currently under review. The discussion provided participants with the latest updates on this important issue.
Barbara Brandtner
Director
Directorate-General for Competition
European Commission
Interviewed by
Annabelle Lepièce
Partner, Head of Competition
CMS DeBacker
11:40 - 12:10
Fasten Your Seat Belt: The LCC Conversation
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Interview
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
The session explored how Low-Cost Carriers have transformed air connectivity, demand patterns and travel across the globe, while looking at how Ryanair sees the road ahead.
The discussion provided valuable insights into route strategies, capacity decisions, sustainability pressures, costs and competition. It also explored how airports can better align with LCC priorities, strengthen airport-airline partnerships, and find the recipe for success in an increasingly competitive market.
Jason McGuinness
Chief Commercial Officer
Ryanair
Interviewed by
12:10 - 13:00
New Dynamics for Regional Players in Airline Marketing & Route Development
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Panel
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
The panel explored the new market reality facing regional airports, with increasing airline buyer power putting further pressure on financial stability and resilience.
Speakers discussed how regional airports are adapting their approach to airline marketing and route development, while continuing to support sustainable business models and connectivity growth. The discussion also addressed the challenge of route churn, with constant route openings and closures requiring airports to remain agile.
Bringing together perspectives from an Ultra Low-Cost Carrier, regional travel and tourism representatives, and airport specialists, the panel highlighted the importance of collaboration and business acumen in navigating today’s market.
Maria Kouroupi
Director Aviation Development, Marketing & Communication
Hermes Airports
Denitsa Milosavljevic
Director Aviation Business Development
Fraport Bulgaria
Linda Stivala
Commercial Aviation Director
Toscana Aeroporti
Andras Szabo
Network Officer
Wizz Air Group
Rita Gaglione
Airport Incentives Manager
ITA Airways
Moderated by
George Karamanos
Chief Executive Officer
KPI Consulting
13:00 – 14:10
Networking & Lunch
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Networking
Principi di Piemonte, Foyer
14:10 - 14:25
Presentation: Farming Hydrogen with TULIPS at Torino Airport
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Case Study Presentation
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
The presentation Farming Hydrogen with TULIPS at Torino Airport explored Torino Airport’s contribution to hydrogen innovation through the TULIPS project, highlighting its role in advancing more sustainable airport operations.
Chief Operating Officer
Torino Airport
Gabriele Restaldo
Carbon Management and Energy Innovation Manager
Torino Airport
14:25 - 15:25
Dragon’s Den: Regional Airports x Innovation
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Case Study Presentation
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
The session showcased how regional airports serve as testbeds for industry innovation.
In a Dragon’s Den-style format, participating airports each had 10 minutes to present their initiatives and projects, ranging from autonomous jet bridges to machine learning-powered capacity predictions.
The session left participants with fresh ideas and reinforced the message that innovation truly takes off at regional airports.
Director
Warsaw Radom Airport
Franco Cornarino
Innovation & Digital Manager
Torino Airport
Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship
Aena
Managing Director
Cork Airport
Moderated by
Director of Facilitation, Parliamentary Affairs & Regional Airports
ACI EUROPE
15:25 - 15:40
Presentation: AI-Powered Robotics for Safer, Smarter Airside Operations
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Case Study Presentation
Principi di Piemonte, Salone delle Feste
José Luis Gil Yepes
Chief Commercial Officer
ROBOXI
Luca Mangia
Strategic Planning and Sustainability Manager
Toscana Aeroporti
15:40 - 16:10
Networking & Coffee in the Exhibition Area
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Networking
Principi di Piemonte, Foyer
16:10 - 17:00
Non-Aero Revenue Generation Masterclass
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Panel
Piemonte di Principi, Salone delle Feste
The masterclass explored the growing role of non-aeronautical revenue in airports’ revenue mix and business transformation.
It addressed key trends and strategies, including AI, the digitalisation of the passenger experience, personalisation, changing traveller demographics, and new ways to unlock revenue beyond traditional passenger traffic.
Drawing on industry success stories, the session highlighted how airports can adapt product mixes, strengthen collaboration with media and retailers, and create a stronger sense of place in their commercial offer.
Jan-Henrik Andersson
Chief Commercial Officer
Munich Airport
Gintare Norvilaitė-Tautevičė
Chief Commercial Officer
Lithuanian Airports
Alexander Zinell
Chief Executive Officer
Fraport Greece
Florian Seidel
Chief Sales Officer
Gebr. Heinemann
Moderated by
Julie Lassaigne
Secretary General
ETRC
17:00 - 17:20
Wrap Up by Master of Ceremonies with key takeaways in conversation with the host CEO, Andrea Andorno
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Interview
Piemonte di Principi, Salone delle Feste
The day concluded with Master of Ceremonies Ella Soltani, from To70 Aviation, summarising the key takeaways together with Andrea Andorno, CEO of host Torino Airport and Chair of the ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Forum.
Chief Executive Officer
Torino Airport
Commercial Lead Europe
To70 Aviation
17:20 - 17:30
Handover Ceremony
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Piemonte di Principi, Salone delle Feste
18:30
Transfer to Gala Dinner
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
19:30 - 22:30
Gala Dinner
TUESDAY, 28 April 2026
Networking
Reggia di Venaria
10:30
Shuttle Bus departure from the hotel
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
11:00 – 12:30
Airport Tour
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Torino Airport
12:30
Shuttle Bus return to the Hotel
Wednesday, 29 April 2026