The European Parliament approved a report which asks to national authorities to reorient EU aviation policy to pay special attention to the needs of regional airports. According to MEPs, boosting regional development and reduce congestion at major air hubs could be unlocked by integrating them in the Trans-European Transport Networks.

The report approved by MEPs in plenary session asks to remove economic barriers and to define better the regional airports' role in the transport network. They also calls on the Commission to speed up work on the "Single European Sky" initiative and to design a network in which regional airports could help to alleviate capacity crunches in bigger airports. On the other hand, Eurocontrol recently reported that flights in Europe are expected to decline by 1.3% in 2012.

MEPs underlined that regional airports potential to boost regional development and reduce congestion at major air hubs could be unlocked by integrating them in the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T). The report states that by integrating regional airports in the TEN-T would furthermore create incentives for private financing and encourage Member States to invest in better ground connections, especially high speed trains.

In addition, the resolution notes that regional airports are vital for territorial cohesion and social and economic development, especially in regions where other means of transport are lacking. They attract new businesses and offer opportunities for regional tourism as well as specialised freight transport.