European airport traffic gains pace as Brussels cargo grows

Passenger traffic at European airports rose by 3.9% in July and 3.1% in August compared with a year earlier, according to ACI EUROPE. The summer figures marked an improvement on the second quarter’s 1.3% growth, although performance varied considerably between countries.

Airports outside the EU+ market recorded the strongest increases, with passenger numbers up 6.6% in July and 6% in August. Growth at EU+ airports — covering the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK — was more moderate, at 3.4% and 2.5% respectively.

Among the largest EU+ markets, Italy and Spain led August growth, increasing by 5.2% and 4.7%. The UK grew by 0.9%, while France and Germany recorded declines of 1.7% and 0.2%. Slovakia posted the strongest national increase in the group, at 61%, followed by Slovenia and Estonia.

Istanbul Airport was Europe’s busiest airport during the summer, handling 8.6 million passengers in August, up 3%. London Heathrow followed with 7.9 million passengers, down 2.1%, and Paris Charles de Gaulle with 6.9 million, down 1.1%. Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt and Munich recorded little change.

Airports handling between one million and 25 million passengers annually outperformed their larger counterparts, supported principally by selective low-cost airline expansion. Small airports also grew, but their August passenger volumes remained 25.5% below August 2019 levels, making them the only size category still below pre-pandemic traffic.

Brussels Airport’s freight traffic rose by 8.6% in August, bucking a 6.1% decline across the European airport network. Among Europe’s ten leading cargo airports, Istanbul recorded the strongest increase, at 18.1%, while Amsterdam grew by 7.6%. European aircraft movements increased by 2.7% in July and 2.2% in August.

ACI EUROPE director general Olivier Jankovec said summer demand had remained resilient despite geopolitical tensions, higher fares and economic pressures. He nevertheless warned that rising fuel costs, tighter airline capacity and renewed pressure on household spending could weaken the outlook for the winter season.