2024-10-08

Record Summer Season at European Airports – Poland Leads the Growth

Rekordowy sezon letni na europejskich lotniskach – Polska liderem wzrostu

During the summer of 2024, European airports saw a significant increase in passenger numbers. According to ACI Europe data, August—the peak month of the season—witnessed a 5.6 percent rise compared to the previous year. This result not only surpasses last year’s figures but also exceeds pre-pandemic levels by 2.3 percent. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenges facing the industry, such as rising ticket prices and geopolitical tensions.

Poland emerged as the growth leader among EU countries, with an impressive 25.5 percent increase in passenger traffic. Other top performers included Luxembourg, Iceland, Malta, and Greece, which all recorded double-digit gains. Meanwhile, some markets, like Finland, Slovenia, and Bulgaria, are still struggling, experiencing declines of up to 27 percent. These setbacks are influenced by structural changes and the impact of geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.

Among the largest European airports, Rome-Fiumicino led the growth, recording a 20.6 percent increase. In the mid-sized airport category, Budapest was at the forefront, while in the smallest category, Poznań in Poland stood out with a 29 percent rise. Non-EU markets also experienced dynamic development, with Albania and Uzbekistan achieving impressive triple-digit passenger growth.

Despite varied results across different parts of Europe and neighboring markets, this summer has been exceptional for the European aviation sector, showcasing a strong readiness for travel and indicating potential for further growth in the future.

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