Latest Data: How Air Passenger Traffic is Recovering in Europe After the Pandemic

The swift rebound of air passenger traffic in Europe post-pandemic continues to garner significant attention. Last year, passenger traffic levels in Europe nearly reached pre-pandemic figures.

According to ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International), this traffic reached 95%, approximately totaling 2.3 billion passengers. Consequently, the continent's traffic volume reached 94.6% of pre-pandemic levels, attributed to a 21% increase in international passenger traffic compared to 2022, as reported by ACI Europe.

In 2023, London's Heathrow Airport emerged as Europe's busiest, accommodating 79.2 million passengers. Istanbul Airport followed closely with 76 million, trailed by Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Madrid Airport, each serving between 60 and 67.4 million passengers.

Although these airports collectively saw a rise of 58 million passengers compared to 2022, they still lagged 6.5% behind pre-Covid levels due to factors such as the gradual return of corporate travel and capacity limitations on hub carriers.

Conversely, smaller airports experienced a more favorable outcome, achieving full recovery in 2023, with passenger traffic increasing by 17.6% compared to 2022 and by 3% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

ACI EUROPE forecasts a 7.2% increase in passenger traffic for the current year compared to 2023, surpassing pre-Covid levels by 1.4% in 2024.

However, it's noteworthy that, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air traffic in November reached 99% of pre-pandemic levels.

Olivier Jankovec, CEO of ACI EUROPE, highlighted the impact of various geopolitical conflicts on the uneven recovery, notably affecting airports in Ukraine, Israel, Finland, and other Eastern European countries. Additionally, structural changes in the aviation market due to Covid-19 have also played a significant role.

Looking ahead to 2024, Jankovec anticipates that outcomes will hinge on the sustainability of demand for leisure travel. Moreover, the rollout of the Schengen entry-exit system in fall 2024 raises several uncertainties.