Forlì, Italy – Ryanair is expanding its presence in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy with new flight routes from Forlì Airport (FRL), alongside increased services from Parma Airport (PMF) and Rimini Federico Fellini Airport (RMI). The expansion, announced for the summer 2026 schedule, includes nine new routes and a projected 50% increase in passenger capacity compared to the previous year, with a total of 20 routes and over 660,000 passengers expected.
The new routes from Forlì specifically include services to Cagliari and London Stansted. This development has been met with bi-partisan support from regional politicians, who see it as a significant step towards revitalizing the “Ridolfi” airport and bolstering the regional economy. , regional councilor Valentina Ancarani of the Democratic Party (Pd) stated that the new routes “strengthen the perspective of the Forlì airport and fit perfectly into the regional strategy” aimed at developing smaller airports with fewer than 700,000 passengers annually.
Ancarani emphasized the importance of an integrated approach to regional airport development, where airports complement each other rather than compete. “The system works if each airport is put in a position to express its potential,” she said, adding that the agreement with Ryanair represents a “concrete step” in this direction. She called for continued consolidation of these results and a determined pursuit of the established strategy.
Luca Pestelli, a regional councilor for Brothers of Italy (FdI), echoed this sentiment, highlighting the positive impact on the local economy. He also pointed to the recent abolition of the “council tax” – a municipal tax on boarding rights – as a key factor in attracting Ryanair’s investment. This tax abolition followed an agreement between the national government and the Emilia-Romagna region.
Pestelli underscored the long-standing aviation heritage of Forlì, stating that the airport represents a “fundamental practical declination” of the city’s century-old expertise in the aeronautical sector. He stressed the need to integrate these new routes into a comprehensive strategic plan, advocating for the effective operation of a regional airport coordinating body involving all regional airports.
Daniele Valbonesi, another regional councilor from the Democratic Party, noted that the announcement of new routes from Ryanair to Forlì, Rimini, and Parma signals the positive effects of regional policies on the aviation sector. He specifically cited the December 2025 abolition of the council tax as a decisive measure that incentivized Ryanair to invest in new routes, including flights to Cagliari and London from Forlì, in addition to existing services to Palermo and Tbilisi.
Valbonesi described the announcement as “important” for the Forlì airport, safeguarding and adding jobs. He further stated that the region will continue to prioritize the development of all regional airports, integrating them into the broader regional infrastructure network. A new law on territorial attractiveness, currently under development, will place airports at the center of efforts to promote investment and tourism.
“Forlì now has more elements to relaunch its airport with the aim of growing the city and its production system in terms of tourism and attracting capital,” Valbonesi concluded, emphasizing the potential for integration with other Romagna territories for organic and widespread development.
The Filt Cgil Forlì-Cesena, a trade union representing workers in the transport sector, welcomed the announcement as an important signal for the airport’s revitalization. The union stated that the development aligns with the regional strategy of valuing airports with fewer than 700,000 passengers as a lever for sustainable growth. They emphasized the importance of a coordinated system of regional airports, with each airport maximizing its potential.
However, the Filt Cgil also called for a concrete discussion with airport management regarding industrial and organizational choices necessary to make the revitalization sustainable. They highlighted the need for investment in maintenance activities and general aviation to consolidate a stable production base and generate quality employment. The union also raised concerns about staff shortages in runway operations, which they said could impact safety and workload sustainability, and the need to ensure fair contractual arrangements with appropriate job classifications.
The expansion of Ryanair’s services in Emilia-Romagna comes as the airline continues to expand its European network. According to its official website, Ryanair offers a wide range of routes across Europe, focusing on low fares and direct flights. The airline’s interactive flight map details its extensive network, showcasing its reach across the continent. The addition of these routes from Forlì, Parma, and Rimini underscores the growing importance of regional airports in connecting smaller cities and boosting local economies.
The developments in Emilia-Romagna are part of a broader trend of airlines seeking to diversify their operations and tap into new markets. While Palermo Falcone e Borsellino Airport (PMO) in Sicily is also experiencing ongoing developments, the focus in this instance is on the expansion of services in the Emilia-Romagna region. The success of these new routes will likely depend on continued collaboration between the airline, regional authorities, and airport operators, as well as ongoing investment in infrastructure and services.
