Passenger traffic across the European airport network rose by 4.5% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest ACI EUROPE report. International traffic drove all gains (+5.7%), while domestic traffic remained flat (+0.2%). Overall, passenger volumes were 5.1% above pre-pandemic (H1 2019) levels.
Airports in Slovakia (+19.2%), Poland (+14.9%) and Hungary (+14.2%) led growth in the EU+ area, while Moldova (+49.2%), Bosnia & Herzegovina (+31.1%) and Israel (+27%) posted the strongest results in the rest of Europe. Among major hubs, London Heathrow remained the busiest with 39.9 million passengers, followed by Istanbul (39.1m) and Paris-CDG (34.6m).
Large and medium-sized airports recorded the highest growth rates (+5.4%), boosted by low-cost carrier expansion and strong leisure demand. Freight volumes were stable year-on-year (+0.1%), while aircraft movements increased by 3.1%.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, highlighted the resilience of demand but warned of “volatile and unpredictable market dynamics where growth is no longer a given.”