Rimini, Italy, has been selected as the host destination for Routes Europe 2026, it was announced today at Routes World 2024 in Bahrain.
The event will be held from May 18-20, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from airlines, airports, and destinations, solidifying Rimini’s role as a leading destination in the aviation and tourism sectors. The event will be hosted by The Emilia-Romagna Region, The Municipality of Rimini and San Marino International Airport.
Located in the Emilia-Romagna Region, Rimini has been experiencing substantial growth as a tourist destination, thanks to major investments in cultural attractions and infrastructure. The city offers a unique blend of beautiful beaches and historic villages, making it an appealing spot for visitors.
Rimini and San Marino International Airport ‘Federico Fellini’ is a key driver of the region’s tourism development, with partnerships across 11 airlines serving 16 destinations. The airport is currently undergoing a modernization as part of AIRiminum Group’s ambitious masterplan to enhance its infrastructure, ensuring a safer and more accessible experience for both airlines and passengers.
By hosting Routes Europe 2026, Rimini will showcase its urban transformation and commitment to sustainability to the region’s leading and fastest-growing airlines. The event is expected to attract VPs and Heads of Network Planning from more than 90 of Europe’s top carriers.
Speaking at the announcement, Steven Small, Director of Routes, said: “After a competitive application process, we are delighted to announce that we will unite the European route development community in Rimini in 2026 for the 19th edition of Routes Europe.”
Small added: “Independent analysis shows that airports in previous host destinations have seen their networks grow by around 6.9% more than comparable airports within three years. Hosting Routes Europe will support Rimini’s goal to expand its air connectivity and strengthen its role in European aviation.”
Andrea Corsini, Regional Councillor for Mobility and Transport, Infrastructure, Tourism, and Commerce of the Emilia-Romagna Region, said: “Hosting Routes Europe in 2026 in Rimini is a fundamental opportunity for Emilia-Romagna and the region’s network of airports – including Rimini, Bologna, Forlì and Parma – to strengthen our positioning as a leading tourist destination in the global market and to achieve greater internationalisation of passengers and tourist flows. Routes represents a global platform for Emilia-Romagna to develop an integrated policy for our airports, to stimulate new investments, to increase our attractiveness, to enhance the Region’s tourist districts, to promote our multi-thematic offer aimed at both leisure and business tourism and, last but not least, to communicate the sustainability and innovation of our key products: Motor Valley, Food Valley, Sport Valley, Adriatic Riviera, Art Cities, Hamlets, Cycling, Slow tourism, etc.”
Jamil Sadegholvaad, Mayor of Rimini and President of Visit Romagna, added: “Rimini welcomes Routes Europe 2026 with enthusiasm. Upon arrival, you will find one of the most innovative cities in the Mediterranean. In recent years, Rimini has become a European tourist capital that combines soul and modernity and has the ambition to fly even higher, thanks to the development of its airport in particular and its connections with airports worldwide. This is the reason why we are so proud to host this “event” – not only “an event” for us – but one of the main reasons for our future success.”
Leonardo Corbucci, CEO of AIRiminum 2014 S.p.A. – International Airport of Rimini and San Marino ‘Federico Fellini,’ spoke on the strategic goals of the airport: “We are very proud to host Routes Europe in 2026 in our city for promoting our airport, its conference center and the city of Rimini in order to attract new flight services. Our objective to increase direct air connections is a top priority for Rimini Airport and for the future of the city.”
Corbucci added: “Rimini Airport is the gateway for the territory to Europe and its promotion and development are a key element in maintaining Rimini as a cutting-edge city on an international level. We truly believe that Rimini will leave an indelible mark on the participants of the European development forum of 2026 and will help Airiminum Airport to grow even more in all markets.”
