European Airports Soar Past Pre-Pandemic Passenger Traffic Levels
Passenger numbers at European airports continued their upward climb in October, marking a continued rebound from the turbulence of the pandemic. The latest figures, released by ACI Europe, reveal a 5.5% surge in passenger traffic compared to the same period in 2023. This growth mirrored trends observed in September and exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 3.3% when compared to October 2019.
International Travel Leads the Way
Driving this upward trend was a notable 7.1% year-on-year increase in international traffic. This contrasted sharply with the stagnant performance of domestic air travel across Europe.
“These figures are indicative of a positive trend we’ve observed throughout 2024,” noted Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe. “They demonstrate remarkable demand resilience despite the challenges of rising airfares, softening economic sentiment, and evolving geopolitical tensions.”
Uneven Recovery Across the Continent
Jankovec emphasized that while Europe’s overall airport network had surpassed pre-pandemic traffic levels, a significant disparity persisted. “45% of airports haven’t yet reached those levels, and performance varies significantly across national markets and different segments of our industry,” he said.
This uneven recovery, according to Jankovec, is a multifaceted issue driven by “supply pressures, geopolitics, and the evolving dynamics of the post-pandemic aviation market.””
Germany Lags Behind in Recovery
Germany, in particular, stood out for its sluggish recovery. Despite a 4.1% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers during October, traffic remained 12.1% below pre-pandemic figures.
ACI Europe attributed Germany’s lagging performance to “ill-advised national aviation policies, especially regarding taxation, which have constrained market recovery and air connectivity developments.”
Israel Feels the Impact of Conflict
The impact of ongoing conflicts on air travel was clearly evident in Israel. Passenger traffic in October saw a 7.2% decline compared to October 2023, and a steeper 52.6% drop compared to October 2019.
Busy Hubs and Emerging Growth
Meanwhile, London Heathrow retained its position as Europe’s busiest airport, followed by Istanbul and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Germany’s main hub, Frankfurt, experienced “minimal growth” in October.
Elsewhere in Europe, airports such as Budapest, Prague, Milan Malpensa, and Athens all enjoyed double-digit year-on-year percentage growth throughout October.
What factors are driving the recovery of air travel in Europe, and why are passenger numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels?
## European Skies Shine Bright: An Interview with Olivier Jankovec
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show, Olivier. Passenger numbers at European airports are looking incredibly strong. ACI Europe’s latest figures show a remarkable recovery, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Can you tell us more about this encouraging trend?
**Olivier Jankovec:** Absolutely. We’re seeing a clear rebound in air travel across Europe, and it’s particularly exciting to see passenger numbers exceed those of 2019.
The latest data for October reveals a 5.5% increase in passenger traffic year-on-year, with international travel leading the charge at a robust 7.1% growth. This points to a strong appetite for international destinations and leisure travel after the pandemic restrictions.
**Interviewer:** That’s excellent news. It sounds like people are eager to explore the world again. What factors do you think are contributing to this recovery and exceeding pre-pandemic levels?
**Olivier Jankovec:** Several factors are at play. Pent-up demand from the pandemic is certainly a major driver. People have been eager to travel again, and now they’re finally able to do so. We’re also seeing strong economic performance in many European countries, boosting consumer confidence and disposable income for travel.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned international travel leading the recovery. What about domestic flights? Have those seen a similar surge?
**Olivier Jankovec:** Domestic travel has been somewhat more subdued, remaining relatively flat compared to last year. It appears that people are prioritizing international destinations for their travel plans right now.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the rest of the year and beyond?
**Olivier Jankovec:** We remain cautiously optimistic. While there are always global uncertainties, the current momentum suggests continued growth in air travel. We anticipate a strong finish to the year and are looking forward to a robust 2025 for European airports. ]]
