European Airports Outpace Pre-Covid Passenger Numbers

European airport passenger traffic finally exceeded pre-COVID levels in 2024, with a 7.4% increase over 2023, marking a significant recovery in the aviation industry.

According to the Full Year 2024 traffic report by ACI EUROPE, in 2024, European airports welcomed over 2.5 billion passengers, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. This milestone comes amidst structural aviation market changes and geopolitical tensions, which have caused significant performance gaps across national and individual airport markets.

The traffic increase of 7.4% over 2023 was predominantly driven by international passenger traffic (+8.8% vs. 2023), with domestic passenger traffic remaining -6.3% below pre-pandemic levels. The growth was more pronounced in the first half of the year and during off-peak months, traditionally associated with lower traffic. This indicates a shift towards cross-border mobility within the EU Single Market and the rising demand in emerging markets outside the EU.

Despite this overall positive trend, nearly half of Europe’s airports were still below their pre-pandemic traffic levels in 2024. Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, stated that the aviation market now operates at multiple speeds, with competitive pressures continuously rising.

In terms of performance, EU+ market airports witnessed a passenger traffic increase of 7.8% in 2024, outperforming those in the rest of Europe (+5.2%). Airports in the Eastern Bloc and Southern EU+ markets, relying on inbound tourism, were the top performers. However, performance gaps were apparent when compared to pre-Covid levels, reflecting changed market dynamics and the continued impact of geopolitics.

The top five European airports in 2024 were London Heathrow, Istanbul, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Madrid. Despite various challenges, these airports saw increased passenger traffic compared to 2023 and managed to surpass or come close to their pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, smaller airports underperformed, particularly those with less than 1 million passengers, with passenger traffic remaining 34.5% below pre-pandemic levels. These airports, which contribute to European connectivity and territorial cohesion, have been affected by structural market changes and regulatory developments.

Freight traffic across the European airport network also increased significantly in 2024, at +11.8% compared to pre-pandemic volumes. However, aircraft movements were still 3.3% below their pre-pandemic levels.

Overall, the recovery of European airports in 2024 signifies a significant rebound in the aviation industry. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and continuing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, the sector’s resilience is evident. However, the uneven recovery across different airport sizes and markets suggests that more work is needed to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable recovery.

Discover more at Airports Council International.