European airports grew passenger traffic by 3.9 per cent in July and 3.1 per cent in August, though ACI EUROPE warns of divergent national performance.
Passenger traffic across the European airport network increased by 3.9 per cent in July and 3.1 per cent in August 2026, compared with the same months last year, according to ACI EUROPE.
The trade body released its August air traffic report alongside an analysis of the two busiest months of the summer season. The figures mark a clear acceleration from the second quarter of 2026, when growth of 1.3 per cent was constrained by the impact of the war in the Middle East.
Wide divergence across national markets
Airports outside the EU+ market recorded growth of 6.6 per cent in July and 6 per cent in August, while growth in the EU+ market was more moderate at 3.4 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said: “The rebound in passenger traffic over the peak Summer months shows that air travel demand remains resilient despite continued geopolitical tensions, deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, supply constraints and higher air fares. For Europeans, going on holidays and visiting friends and relatives remains a priority, while our continent remains a magnet for travellers from around the World.”
In August, the strongest EU+ performances came from airports in Slovakia (61 per cent), Slovenia (19.3 per cent) and Estonia (16.4 per cent). The weakest results were recorded in Iceland (down 9.3 per cent), Austria (down 6 per cent) and France (down 1.7 per cent).
Among the largest EU+ markets, Italy (5.2 per cent) and Spain (4.7 per cent) were the most dynamic, while the UK (0.9 per cent), France and Germany underperformed the European average.
Major airports, those handling more than 40 million passengers, grew by 1.3 per cent in August. Istanbul Airport (IST) was the busiest European airport over the summer, welcoming 8.6 million passengers in August, up 3 per cent. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) ranked second with 7.9 million passengers, down 2.1 per cent, followed by Paris-Charles de Gaulle with 6.9 million, down 1.1 per cent.
Large and medium airports performed best, growing by 4.8 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively, largely driven by selective low-cost carrier expansion and, to a lesser extent, new transatlantic connectivity. Mega airports, with 25 million to 40 million passengers, grew by 0.8 per cent.
Small airports, with fewer than 1 million passengers, saw traffic increase by 4.2 per cent. However, the category remains the only one not to have recovered its pre-pandemic August 2019 passenger levels, standing 25.5 per cent below them, reflecting exposure to supply pressures and airlines favouring larger and more profitable markets.
Freight traffic was essentially flat in July, up 0.3 per cent, before declining by 6.1 per cent in August.
Jankovec added that the geopolitical energy shock is likely to put further pressure on supply and demand, with airlines already tightening capacity and increasing air fares to mitigate rising jet fuel costs. He said the re-emerging cost-of-living crisis will test the resilience of demand, meaning “a more uncertain outlook with renewed traffic risks and intensifying competitive pressures into the winter season” for airports.
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