EU airports increased by 2023 percent in October 11,7

Passenger volumes in the European airport network continued to defy excessive airfares and geopolitical tensions in October - with an increase of +11,7% compared to the same month last year. This resulted in volume just -1,7% below pre-pandemic levels (October 2019).

“The momentum towards a full recovery in passenger traffic at European airports continued in October - despite the +36,3% increase in airfares1 and the conflict in Israel, which led to further geopolitical tensions. Leisure travel, air travel and, to a lesser extent, mixed travel were the key demand drivers, extending the momentum normally associated with the peak summer months into the fall. At the same time, business travel also contributed to European airports almost returning to pre-pandemic levels, although still below previous levels,” said Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe.

Airports in the EU+ market2 led the growth momentum with an increase in passenger volumes of +12,6% (compared to October 2022). The growth of airports in the rest of Europe, however, slowed to +7%. This largely reflects the impact of the conflict in Israel that broke out on October 7, which resulted in airports in that country recording a -40,8% decline in passenger traffic for the month as a whole.