European airport passenger traffic rises 4.6 percent in January 2026

ACI EUROPE has reported continued growth in passenger traffic across the region’s airport network, with total volumes increasing by 4.6% in January 2026 compared with the same month last year.

The growth was largely driven by international demand, which rose by 5.5%, while domestic passenger numbers increased more modestly by 1.8%. Domestic traffic continues to lag behind pre pandemic levels and remains 8.1% below 2019 volumes, highlighting structural shifts in travel demand following the global aviation crisis.

Airports outside the EU+ market recorded the strongest performance, achieving passenger growth of 8.8% year on year. By comparison, airports in the EU+ market, which includes the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, reported growth of 3.6%.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said the January figures would typically signal a positive outlook for aviation demand in the months ahead.

“January usually gives us the first indication of traffic performance for the year and the data we published today would normally be seen as evidence of resilient demand and positive prospects for the months ahead,” Jankovec said.

However, he warned that recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East could disrupt the outlook for the sector.

“The Middle East and in particular the Gulf has over the past 20 years become an important part of connectivity and traffic volumes for many European airports, from larger regional airports to major hubs,” he said.

The region accounts for around 11% of seat capacity offered at European airports and plays a significant role in connecting Europe to Asia Pacific markets via hub airports.

Traffic performance continued to vary significantly between national markets. Within the EU+ region, airports in eastern and peripheral countries recorded the strongest growth. Slovakia saw the highest increase at 98%, followed by Slovenia at 20.8%, Malta at 17.2%, Ireland at 13.8%, Czechia at 13.5%, Cyprus at 13.3%, Bulgaria at 12.6% and Poland at 11.8%.

Conversely, airports in the Netherlands recorded a decline of 7.3% due to severe weather disruptions, while Iceland fell by 4.3% and Latvia by 3.2% following airline capacity reductions.

Among Europe’s largest aviation markets, Italy recorded the strongest growth at 4.1%, followed by Germany at 3.5%, Spain at 2.6%, France at 2.1% and the United Kingdom at 2%.

In the non EU+ market, the highest growth was recorded in Moldova at 35.4%, North Macedonia at 31%, Israel at 24.4%, Uzbekistan at 23.9%, Georgia at 16%, Armenia at 10.3% and Türkiye at 9.4%.

In terms of individual airport performance, Istanbul Airport (IST) became the busiest airport in Europe in January, overtaking London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Istanbul handled 6.9 million passengers during the month compared with 6.5 million passengers at Heathrow.

Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) ranked third, moving ahead of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Meanwhile Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) experienced a 9.1% decline in passenger traffic following weather related disruption earlier in the month.

Cargo volumes also showed strong performance across Europe’s airport network. Freight traffic increased by 6.4% year on year in January, with major gains recorded at airports including Liège Airport (LGG), Istanbul Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Aircraft movements increased by 1.8% compared with January 2025, although they remain 6.9% below pre pandemic 2019 levels.

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