Airports and air connectivity play a crucial role in Europe’s economy and society, according to a new study released by ACI Europe at the ‘Airport Economics Symposium’ at Brussels in Belgium. 

According to the study for ACI Europe, conducted by research institute SEO Amsterdam Economics, European airports contribute EUR 851 billion annually which is equivalent to 5 pc of European GDP and support 14 million jobs.

The study emphasises air connectivity’s social impact, revealing its positive association with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including education access and gender equality.

Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy and President of the Jacques Delores Institute, stressed the importance of resilient and decarbonised transport systems for the future of Europe’s Single Market. 

The statement adds that ACI Europe is now advocating for the inclusion of aviation in the upcoming European Commission Clean Industrial Deal, pushing for greener growth in the sector.

Olivier Jankovec

“The extensive analysis and data released today clearly show that what sets airports and the aviation ecosystem apart from most other sectors is their ability to facilitate and support wider economic activities. This results in increased trade and productivity, along with greater investments, tourism activity and increased employment rates overall,” says Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe Director General.

“This specific ability clearly boosts overall national and European economic performance and only means one thing: that airports and air connectivity are irreplaceable drivers of competitiveness for Europe,” Jankovec adds.

The study’s findings underscore air travel’s wide-reaching impacts, highlighting the sector’s role not only as an economic engine but also in addressing poverty, education and gender equality.

ACI says that for the first time, the study also demonstrated that every 10 pc increase in direct air connectivity is correlated with a 14 pc reduction in poverty, a 9 pc rise in education access, and a 19 pc improvement in gender equality. 

These findings suggest airports are a critical driver of both economic growth and societal advancement in Europe. Every 10 pc increase in direct air connectivity yields a 5 pc increase in GDP per capita and 1.6 pc increase in jobs.

Enrico Letta

Given the sector’s significant economic and social contributions, ACI Europe says it is calling for aviation to be an integral part of Europe’s decarbonisation agenda, ensuring sustainable growth without compromising the benefits air connectivity brings to the European economy and society.

“Air connectivity is one of the fundamental pillars of European integration and cohesion, and indeed the future of our EU Single Market depends very much on the resilience and effective decarbonisation of our transport systems,” says Letta, now President of the Jacques Delores Institute.

ACI Europe says that the new findings are expected to influence discussions ahead of the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal, with stakeholders urging for stronger policies that balance both green transitions and the preservation of aviation’s far-reaching benefits.

“By highlighting the far-reaching economic and social benefits linked to our European airport network, the study released today by ACI Europe confirms this and also makes it crystal clear that we need to ensure both EU and national policies effectively support and enable aviation’s green growth trajectory,” Letta adds.