In an impressive comeback, European airports experienced a significant rise in passenger traffic last year, reaching a noteworthy milestone by exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the first time since the onset of COVID-19.
According to data released by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe on Wednesday, passenger numbers hit 2.5 billion in 2024, representing a healthy increase of 7.4 percent from the previous year.
Significant Growth in International Travel
What makes this achievement even more striking is that it surpasses the 2019 traffic figures by 1.8 percent.
ACI Europe, which advocates for over 600 airports across 55 countries, stretching from Western Europe to parts of Israel and Central Asia, credits this growth largely to a revival in international travel.
International passenger counts surged by an impressive 8.8 percent, while domestic travel also saw a 2.5 percent uptick, although it remains below pre-COVID benchmarks.
Resilience Amid Challenges
The Director General of ACI Europe pointed out that an additional 200 million passengers flowed through European airports last year.
Many airports celebrated record-breaking numbers, showcasing resilience in the face of obstacles like rising ticket prices, persistent supply chain issues, tepid economic growth, and geopolitical uncertainties.
Future Outlook for Aviation
Despite the overall surge, it’s important to note that almost half of Europe’s airports still operated below their pre-pandemic capacity in 2024.
This development highlights an evolving aviation landscape characterized by a multi-speed market where competitive pressures are on the rise.
Looking forward, ACI Europe is optimistic about continued growth in passenger traffic, projecting an additional four percent increase for this year.
However, the organization advises a cautious approach, given the ongoing global political and economic challenges.
Overall, the aviation sector seems poised for a promising recovery, filled with new opportunities and hope as it navigates its way out of the difficulties of recent years.