Despite the European airport network’s overall recovery to 95pc of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, only 44pc of airports in Europe have surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 passenger traffic volumes, indicating a significant transformation in the industry over the past four years, especially affecting smaller and regional airports.
ACI Europe’s Director of Economics and Competition, Michael Stanton-Geddes, told the Routes Europe conference that a noticeable shift in traffic flows at a country level post-pandemic, with southern and eastern European nations experiencing growth while central and northern European counterparts struggle to regain pre-pandemic volumes.
Data from ACI showed varying passenger traffic trends in different European countries, with reductions in Slovakia, Finland, and Germany contrasted by increases in Portugal, Spain, and Greece. Airport seasonality in Europe has also become more pronounced, with weaker traffic levels in the first quarter but stronger levels in summer months.
Stanton-Geddes noted changes in the European market dynamics, including increased international travel, longer intra-European flight lengths, a decrease in regional jet options for airports, and a shift towards more low-cost, international, and consolidated operations, requiring smaller airports to diversify their airline and customer base to adapt to the evolving landscape. Regulatory focus on airline protection has been criticised for suboptimal outcomes on airport charges.
