European airports surpass pre-pandemic passenger levels

Thursday 13 February 2025 - 13:30

Passenger traffic at European airports exceeded pre-Covid levels in 2024, with over 2.5 billion travelers recorded across the continent. This milestone, reported by ACI Europe—the organization representing European and other global airports—marks a full recovery from the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The surge in air travel is primarily driven by the strong performance of international connections. According to ACI Europe, total passenger numbers across the region’s airports grew by 7.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year, surpassing 2019 levels by 1.8%. The organization also projects continued expansion in passenger traffic for 2025.

International traffic saw an 8.8% increase in 2024, acting as the key driver of recovery. In contrast, domestic air travel rose by a modest 2.5% and remains 6.3% below 2019 figures. ACI Europe attributes these trends to structural shifts, including a partial shift towards rail transport, cross-border mobility within the EU’s single market, and growing demand from emerging markets outside Europe.

However, not all airports have fully recovered. Approximately 47% of European airports have yet to reach pre-pandemic volumes, with smaller airports facing an average shortfall of 34.5%. Among the busiest airports in 2024 were London Heathrow (83.9 million passengers), Istanbul (80.1 million), Paris Charles de Gaulle (70.3 million), Amsterdam Schiphol (66.8 million), and Madrid (66.1 million).

On a national level, Turkey (+23.1%), Italy (+17%), and Spain (+13%) have experienced strong growth since 2019. Conversely, Germany (-16.6%) and France (-3%) continue to struggle with declines in domestic demand. While Turkey has recorded a 23.1% increase since 2019, Italy has grown by 17% and Spain by 13%, whereas Germany has suffered a 16.6% decline over five years, and France has seen a 3% drop during the same period.