European Air Traffic Finally Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024, With 5 Billion Passengers

The air passenger traffic across European airports has managed to surpass its pre-pandemic levels in 2024, after many efforts to welcome passengers. 

According to data published by ACI Europe, nearly five billion passengers were recorded at European airports in 2024, showing that the number of passengers increased by 1.8 per cent compared to 2019 levels, Schengen.News reports. 

While bigger airports have witnessed their passenger traffic improve, smaller airports in Europe have yet to reach the pre-pandemic traffic. 

These Airports Received Most Passengers in 2024
As the data reveals, the top five European airports with the most passengers were London Heathrow and Istanbul airports, receiving 83.9 million and 80.1 million passengers, respectively. 

In addition, about 70.3 million passengers were recorded at the Paris CDG, compared to 66.8 million at Amsterdam Schiphol and 66.1 million at Madrid Airport. 

As per markets, Hungary and Czechia had the best EU markets, being up by 18.9 per cent, followed by Estonia (18 per cent) and Poland (15.6 per cent). 

Regarding the growth, some airports outside the EU, such as the one in Albania and Moldova, witness an increase of 47.5 and 46 per cent, respectively. However, smaller airports are still struggling with their passenger numbers. It is estimated that the passenger traffic at these airports is 35 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. 

In addition, the passenger traffic at small airports was less than one million passengers and witnessed the slowest increase – only five per cent during a one-year period. 

These Airports Did Not Have Their Passenger Traffic Improved Much in 2024
Although there were many positive effects, some national markets did not see their passenger traffic improve. 

For example, a total of 20 national markets have not reached their pre-pandemic levels, including here in Ukraine, which received no traffic at all. Israel has also been affected by this situation, witnessing 38.9 per cent less passenger traffic in 2024. 

Finland and Sweden also received fewer passengers during this year, with their passenger numbers dropping by 25 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively. 

As per the EU+ market, Iceland had the best performance seeing its passenger traffic increase by 24.2 per cent, followed by Malta (22.5 per cent), Greece and Poland (22.1 per cent), Portugal (17 per cent) and Croatia (16.6 per cent).

Source: https://schengen.news/european-air-traffic-finally-surpassed-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2024-with-5-billion-passengers/