The European Organization for the Safety of Aviation (Eurocontrol) is less optimistic about the future: The experts expect only 51 percent of the previous year's level to be achieved in the new year.

The Covid-19 shock is deep. The aviation industry suffered horrific losses - the bottom line is around 6,1 million flights and 1,7 billion passengers that were canceled last year. With these numbers, things can only get better this year. There is also a hint of confidence in the industry thanks to the vaccination starts in many countries. It is hoped that the situation will look significantly better again in 2021. But the pilot umbrella organization based in Brussels warns against too much optimism. Only the right measures would bring the industry to the desired recovery. Particularly financially troubled airports should now receive preferential financial aid - after the airlines were primarily supplied last year. 

Among the major airlines, the Lufthansa Group had to cancel a noticeable number of flights, according to Eurocontrol it was 67 percent. EasyJet (minus 67 percent) and British Airways parent IAG (minus 65 percent) come to similar values. Ryanair completed 59 percent fewer flights last year than in 2019 and Air France / KLM 55 percent fewer flights ORF reported. In addition, the cards were also reshuffled at the airports. Frankfurt Airport had to hand over its scepter to Amsterdam-Schiphol. AMS now occupies first place as the busiest airport in Europe, and the decline in flight movements was somewhat less drastic here.