Europe’s Airports Celebrate Connectivity, Mark EU Enlargement Milestone

Photo source: ACI Europe

Aviation has contributed to the freedom of movement and the freedom to provide services which has in turn led to closer ties, driving convergence and boosting economies in the newly expanded EU bloc over the last two decades, said Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) on occasion of the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement.

On May 1 2004, 10 countries joined the EU: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. expanding the EU community in terms of population (+20 percent), territory covered (+18 percent) and GDP (+9 percent), said ACI.

EU expansion played a key role in the growth of air travel in accession countries resulting in fast expanding air connectivity and a much higher growth rate of passengers compared to EU15 countries, ACI said.

Based on the council’s Connectivity Index, direct air connectivity of the A10 countries has surged by 85 percent since accession, while EU15 states continued to post connectivity gains at a steadier pace (+32 percent). This boosted their economic performance as every 10 percent increase in direct connectivity of a country yields a +0.5 percent increase in GDP per capita.

ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec.

At the same time, in the 2004-2019 period, the number of air travelers increased by 215 percent in accession countries, with EU15 countries growing at a slower pace (+77 percent) indicating their market maturity prior to enlargement.

ACI analysts attribute the dynamic growth in accession countries to economic development and convergence, infrastructure improvements, alignment of operational and service standards. and increased integration into the EU market.

“The dynamic expansion of air connectivity and growth in passenger numbers resulted in a virtuous circle as more integration triggered more demand for air travel, which in turn further strengthened the social and economic fabric of the Union and contributed to its cohesion,” said ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec.

This positive track record, he said, is particularly relevant in the context of today’s challenging geopolitical environment which has given impetus to a new wave of EU enlargement.

Photo source: European Commission

To ensure growth, ACI Europe has made recommendations concerning transport which include prioritizing the effective decarbonization of aviation, safeguarding the integrity of the Single Aviation Market, and enabling resilient, digitized and green airports.