In the Italian airport panorama, the Calabria stands out for a modest growth in air traffic, but is especially notable for the extraordinary performance of theTito Minniti Airport of Reggio Calabria.
Success demonstrated by the numbers, data undoubtedly fueled by the landing on the shores of the Strait of Messina of the low-cost airline Ryanair, with an immediate and decidedly positive impact.
Airport Traffic Growth in Calabria
Air traffic at Calabrian airports has shown an upward trend over the last year, with a particularly notable increase in Reggio Calabria where there is a significant increase in the number of passengers, reaching 57,157 passengers a maggio 2024with a growth of 130,5% compared to the same period of the previous year. This result is particularly remarkable if one considers the increase in air movements (+83,8%) and the flight load factor, which stands at 78%.
Traffic Data of Calabrian Airports
Traffic data for maggio 2024 provided by Assaeroporti show a varied performance among the main Calabrian ports: Lamezia Terme, Reggio Calabria e Croton.
Lamezia Terme Airport
Lamezia Terme airport has recorded 236,945 passengerswith a decrease in the11,7% compared to the same month of 2023. Despite the decline, the average number of passengers per flight was 148 on an average capacity of around 180 seats, with a load factor of82%.
Detailed Data:
- Domestic Passengers: 171.468 (-14,1%)
- International Passengers: 65.058 (+3,0%)
- Transits: 419 (-70,6%)
- Total Commercial: 236.945 (-10,3%)
- General Aviation: 83 (+93,0%)
- Total Year 2024: 909.517 (-10,9%)
Reggio Calabria Airport
Reggio Calabria has seen exponential growth with 57,157 passengersthanks also to the introduction of new routes by RyanairThe average fill factor for ITA Airways it was of the 67%while Ryanair’s was88%.
The route to Barcelona proved particularly popular, outperforming all other destinations with passenger growth of 166% compared to the previous month.
Detailed Data:
- Domestic Passengers: 57.157 (+130,5%)
- International Passengers: 0 (n/a)
- Transits: 0 (n/a)
- Total Commercial: 57.157 (+130,5%)
- General Aviation: 129 (+122,4%)
- Total Year 2024: 164.725 (+56,5%)
Crotone Airport
Crotone airport has recorded 24,832 passengerswith a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year, but a stable load factor of 82%.
Detailed Data:
- Domestic Passengers: 24.832 (-1,6%)
- International Passengers: 0 (n/a)
- Transits: 0 (n/a)
- Total Commercial: 24.832 (-1,6%)
- General Aviation: 7 (-96,5%)
- Total Year 2024: 84.250 (-0,5%)
Calabrian Airport System
Overall, the Calabrian airport system has recorded 319,153 passengers in May 2024, with an increase of1,5% compared to the same month of the previous year. However, the annual total shows a slight decrease in 4,3%with a total of 1,158,839 passengers.
The increase in air traffic has had significant positive impacts on the local economy, with tourism growing and employment increasing in sectors such as hospitality, retail and services.
This momentum is a positive sign for the future, especially in view of the upcoming summer holidays that promise a further increase in traffic. Experts predict that the upward trend will continue, with the possibility of reaching and exceeding the goals set for 2023.
Furthermore, the infrastructural interventions planned by the Calabria Region together with those foreseen by the Cannizzaro amendment will be crucial to support this growth. The goal is to make the airport more welcoming and functional within a few months, preparing it for a new era of development and modernization.
Il “Tito Minniti” is therefore experiencing a turning point, thanks also to strategic investments and new international routes. The challenge for the future will be to consolidate these successes, transforming the airport into a reference hub for the entire region.
Another piece of good news, in terms of relaunching and developing tourism, concerns the contract awarded by 47 million euros awarded by Ryanair relating to digital marketing in Calabria.
The project, divided into 4 lots, has seen the low-cost company take the lead, which can be awarded specific contracts up to a maximum estimated amount of 65% of the estimated amount of the Lot. Therefore Ryanair can go up to 30.550.000 Euro: the goal is to increase arrivals at Calabrian airports by 10% in three years.
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