In 2025, Europe’s air travel market demonstrated significant resilience, reaching a record of 2.6 billion passengers, according to ACI Europe’s 2025 Airport Traffic Report. This reflects a 4.4% increase in air traffic, translating to an additional 100 million passengers compared to 2024.
Factors Contributing to Demand Surge
Despite challenges like geopolitical tensions, high airfares, and economic instability, ACI Europe reported remarkable resilience in passenger demand. The report noted a “multi-speed” market across the continent. While some airports celebrated record numbers, 41% reported traffic levels still below pre-COVID 2019 statistics.
Geographic Performance Variance
- UK: Growth was only 1.7%.
- France: Increased passenger numbers by 2.1%.
- Germany: Saw a 3.2% rise.
- Italy: Traffic rose by 4.4%.
- Spain: Up by 3.9%.
Countries like Italy and Spain benefitted from favorable economic conditions and supportive aviation policies. In contrast, ACI Europe attributed the slow growth in key markets to “punitive taxation regimes.”
Top Airports in Europe
London Heathrow remained the busiest airport in Europe, serving 84.5 million passengers. It was closely followed by Istanbul Airport, which accommodated 84.44 million travelers. Other notable airports included:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle: 72 million passengers
- Amsterdam Schiphol: 68.8 million passengers
- Madrid Barajas: 68.1 million passengers
Future Outlook for European Air Travel
Looking ahead to 2026, ACI Europe anticipates a continued upward trend in passenger numbers, expecting a 3.3% increase year-on-year. Many airports are likely to benefit from a rise in intra-European travel, solidifying the continent’s appeal as a destination for international visitors as well.
Concerns Addressed by ACI Europe
Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe’s Director General, emphasized the importance of recognizing aviation as a strategic asset. He expressed concern about the potential effects of the EU’s new biometric Entry-Exit System (EES), set to roll out in April 2026, noting that while it brings flexibility, it also raises operational challenges for airports.
With Europe’s airlines projected to achieve robust financial performance, the future of air travel in Europe appears optimistic, provided that industry stakeholders and policymakers collaboratively address emerging challenges.
