NORFOLK- In the evolving landscape of international air travel, several significant US metropolitan markets remain without direct connections to Europe, presenting both challenges and opportunities for airlines and airports alike.
Recent data from the Norfolk Airport Authority reveals the top underserved transatlantic markets, with Kansas City International Airport (MCI) leading the pack at 215,614 annual passengers.
US Europe Unserved Flights
Kansas City tops the list with nearly 216,000 passengers annually traveling to European destinations through connecting flights, representing a robust 294.6 Passengers Daily Each Way (PDEW).
Following closely is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, with 212,503 annual passengers seeking European connections.
Jacksonville, Florida, and Columbus, Ohio, round out the top five with 176,172 and 173,911 passengers respectively.
Emerging Patterns: An interesting trend reported by Ishrion Aviation has emerged in recent years, with one mid-sized U.S. airport annually securing its inaugural European service:
- 2022: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
- 2023: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- 2024: San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- 2025: Indianapolis International Airport (IND), recently announced with Aer Lingus service to Dublin
Market Potential: Other significant markets awaiting their first transatlantic service include:
- Norfolk International (ORF): 117,684 annual passengers
- Charleston International (CHS): 117,088 annual passengers
- Sacramento International (SMF): 108,020 annual passengers
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF): 90,940 annual passengers
- Memphis International (MEM): 89,799 annual passengers
The data suggests substantial untapped potential in these markets, with each city showing significant numbers of passengers making connecting flights to reach European destinations. For airlines, these figures represent an opportunity to establish new routes and capture market share in underserved regions.
Industry experts are now watching closely to see which of these markets might be next to secure their first transatlantic service, as the pattern of yearly additions to the transatlantic route map continues to evolve.
Also Read Air Canada Adds New Flights to Europe and US for Summer 2025
European Carriers Expand US Route
Aer Lingus continues its ambitious growth strategy with the announcement of two new U.S. routes for Summer 2025. The Irish flag carrier is set to launch services to Nashville (4-weekly from April 12) and Indianapolis (4-weekly from May 3), further strengthening Dublin’s position as a major transatlantic hub.
Network Evolution 2010-2024: The data from Air Service One reveals remarkable growth patterns among European carriers serving U.S. destinations:
- British Airways maintains market leadership with 24 U.S. destinations from London Heathrow in 2024
- Lufthansa serves 18 U.S. destinations from Frankfurt
- Air France connects 17 U.S. cities from Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Aer Lingus has quadrupled its network from 4 routes in 2010 to 16 in 2024
- Turkish Airlines shows impressive growth from 3 to 14 U.S. routes in the same period
Aer Lingus’s Strategic Expansion: The Irish carrier’s recent growth includes:
- New Las Vegas service launching soon
- Recently launched Denver route
- Resumed Minneapolis/St. Paul service
- Upcoming Nashville and Indianapolis services in 2025
By 2025, Aer Lingus is projected to serve 18 U.S. destinations from Dublin, assuming all current routes are maintained. This puts them on par with Lufthansa’s Frankfurt operation, marking a remarkable achievement for a carrier from a significantly smaller home market.
Market Dynamics:
- British Airways (BA) has held a consistent position
- Air France (AF) shows steady growth from CDG
- Turkish Airlines (TK) displays aggressive expansion from Istanbul
- Aer Lingus (EI) shows the most dramatic growth trajectory
While Aer Lingus approaches capacity limits at Dublin, Turkish Airlines maintains significant growth potential at Istanbul’s new airport, suggesting continued expansion possibilities.
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