The principal objective of this PhD thesis has been to assess aspects of the critical role and impact of European regional airports, through the lens of stakeholder theory, a concept that highlights the interconnectedness and potential for value creation between an organisation and its main stakeholders, for example airlines, passengers, suppliers and regulators. A study of Irish airport stakeholder activity identified airlines, government and business/tourism organisations as key stakeholders whose engagement significantly impacts the day-to-day management of regional airport activities. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global events provided stakeholders with an opportunity to consider activities and interactions during crisis times. This research project pursued that opportunity, using the theoretical framework of stakeholder management and through the development of five academic papers, presented in this thesis. For this study, a comprehensive qualitative research methodology was employed, involving a manual in-depth analysis of semi-structured interviews with 64 Irish airport stakeholders and managers. An online survey of airport managers was also conducted, and pandemic-era airport passenger trends were assessed. This approach to the research ensured a nuanced and contextually rich understanding of airport stakeholder activities and engagement practices, and the impact of COVID-19 on these factors. While the nature and frequency of airport stakeholder engagement was found to vary, positive and effective personal relationships were deemed essential. Stakeholder tensions typically arose in daily operations and commercial negotiations. Following high levels of positive initial pandemic collaboration, stakeholder organisations then pivoted internally, focusing on their own particular challenges. Despite being regarded by interviewees as key local economic and social drivers and an essential part of Europe's transport infrastructure, regional airports, especially smaller ones, face financial challenges while seeking to maintain and enhance air connectivity. Vital airline relationships will become more dominant, fundamentally increasing the vulnerability of smaller airports to fractures in such relationships. Regional airports must manage their dependence on non-aeronautical revenue at a time when aeronautical revenue is more fragile than before. Stricter European State aid regulations after 2027 pose an additional challenge, potentially leading to an increased number of airport ownership changes or closures, from current low levels. This research makes a theoretical and practical contribution regarding airport stakeholder management activity when sudden adverse developments affect the aviation industry during increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) times. Informed by this research, a prototype of a strategic framework, Flightpath, an integrated airport business model canvas which includes a stakeholder management focus, is presented. Two further airport frameworks are also put forward in this thesis. The VUCAIR model is designed to support agile airport management in volatile times through identification by airports of the impact of a more volatile external environment, and their planned actions in response to the same. An assessment framework to support factors influencing the assessment of future airport State aid considerations (EURAIR) is also suggested for airports and policymakers. Collectively, these tools seek to assist airport leadership planning, decision-making, agility, and resilience in a complex and ever-changing aviation landscape. They represent a contribution to theory and practice and are expected to be of interest to aviation researchers, practitioners and policymakers.