ACI EUROPE 16th Regional Airports Conference and Exhibition Kicks Off Today in Dalaman
The most important gathering focused on Europe’s regional airports, the ACI EUROPE 16th Regional Airports Conference and Exhibition, is being held this year in Dalaman on 28–29 April 2025. As HavaSosyalMedya, we are proud to support this prestigious event as a Media Partner. The conference will bring together airport executives, industry representatives, policymakers, and leading figures from the aviation sector from all across Europe. Considering the critical role of regional airports in Europe’s transportation network and their contribution to local economies and social welfare, the event offers a unique platform to discuss current trends and develop new strategies for the future. Registration for the event is still ongoing, and participants will also have the opportunity to network and explore new business opportunities in the exhibition area.
The event will begin with opening speeches by DHMI General Manager Enes Çakmak and Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık. Throughout the conference program, critical topics shaping the future of the sector will be addressed. In the morning sessions, ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec will present the “State of the Regional Airport Industry,” followed by a CEO Panel featuring YDA Dalaman Airport CEO Yiğit Laçin, Fraport Bulgaria CEO Frank Quante, Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport General Manager David Ciceo, Fraport Greece COO Panagiotis Spyratos, and Iași International Airport General Manager Romeo Vatră. They will discuss how regional airports are responding to key challenges such as seasonality, post-pandemic recovery, workforce shortages, and sustainability.
Later in the day, a “Policy Debate” will address how small and regional airports can balance financial sustainability within the framework of EU state aid rules. The “Border Control & Schengen Entry-Exit System” panel, featuring representatives from the European Commission, IATA, and IDEMIA, will evaluate the impacts of the EES system on airport operations and passenger experience.
The afternoon panels will delve into strategies for increasing non-aeronautical revenue streams at regional airports, new opportunities in terminal retail and food and beverage services, real estate investments, and airport branding. Additionally, under the “Sustainability Showcase,” the latest innovations in circular economy practices, carbon emission reduction, and environmental management will be shared with the industry. Organizations such as the TULIPS Consortium, Environmental Minds, and Ferrovial Airports will present their experiences during these sessions.
In the final part of the conference, human resources management at regional airports and strategies for attracting the next generation of airport professionals will be discussed. Senior HR executives from Tirana International Airport, Milan Bergamo Airport, Stuttgart Airport, and George Best Belfast City Airport will participate in the “Workforce of the Future” panel, focusing on talent acquisition and retention strategies within the sector. The event will conclude with a host handover ceremony.
At this prestigious gathering, which brings together industry leaders from across Europe, HavaSosyalMedya will proudly take its place in Dalaman as a Media Partner.
