Passenger traffic across Europe’s airports remained steady in March, with ACI Europe expecting stable demand during the northern summer travel season despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
According to the latest figures from ACI Europe, passenger traffic across airports increased by 3,8% in March compared with the same month last year, remaining in line with this February’s 4,2% growth, despite the conflict.
Airports in the EU+ market recorded passenger growth of 4,1% (compared with 3,9% in February), while airports in the rest of Europe saw growth slow to 2,6% (compared with 5,9% growth in February). This was largely linked to the impact on Israeli airports, where traffic dropped by 86,3%.
“The first month of the conflict highlighted the resilience of demand for air transport. Many European airports lost direct connectivity to the region, but those traffic flows rapidly adapted through alternative direct and indirect routings,” said Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe.
He said demand was expected to remain stable during summer. “Looking at the peak summer months, we do not expect a contraction of passenger volumes, unless we end up facing significant jet fuel shortages. However, beyond the peak summer months, the traffic outlook hinges on geopolitics and the fall-out of the oil crisis – with the prospect of a cost-of-living shock testing demand resilience.”
