BRUSSELS, December 9, 2025: The number of passengers travelling by air across the European Union rose sharply in 2024, reaching 1.1 billion, an 8.3 percent increase from 973 million in 2023, according to data released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office. The growth highlights the continued recovery of Europe’s aviation sector following years of disruption and fluctuating demand in the wake of the pandemic. All EU member states recorded an annual increase in passenger numbers, reflecting robust demand for international and regional travel.
The strongest growth was reported in Hungary, Czechia, and Estonia, where air passenger volumes climbed by 19.2 percent, 18.9 percent, and 17.8 percent respectively. These figures suggest a particularly strong rebound in Central and Eastern Europe, supported by expanding low-cost carrier networks and tourism recovery. At the other end of the scale, the smallest increases were seen in Sweden, Bulgaria, France, and Ireland. Sweden recorded only a 1.3 percent rise, while Bulgaria saw a 3.8 percent increase. France and Ireland both reported moderate growth of 4.6 percent. The relatively slower pace in these countries may reflect more mature markets or domestic factors such as environmental policies and changing consumer travel behavior.
Freight and mail transport also strengthened during the year, with total air cargo volumes in the EU increasing by 8.7 percent in 2024 compared with 2023. Growth was primarily driven by extra-EU transport, which expanded by 10.8 percent. In contrast, intra-EU freight remained nearly stable at 0.1 percent, while domestic air cargo declined by 4.3 percent. The figures indicate that global trade movements played a key role in boosting EU air freight, offsetting weaker domestic demand. At the national level, Hungary once again led the growth in air freight, posting a 65.9 percent increase.
Central and Eastern Europe lead air travel rebound
Czechia and Greece followed with rises of 43.7 percent and 36.7 percent respectively. Only Poland and Latvia reported decreases in air cargo volumes, falling by 3.6 percent and 2.7 percent, suggesting uneven performance across the bloc’s smaller logistics markets. Among Europe’s busiest airports, Paris Charles de Gaulle handled the largest number of passengers in 2024, serving 70.3 million travelers, up 4.3 percent from a year earlier. Amsterdam Schiphol followed with 66.8 million passengers (+8.0 percent), while Madrid Barajas recorded 66.1 million (+9.9 percent). Frankfurt Main processed 61.5 million passengers (+3.7 percent), and Barcelona El Prat handled 54.9 million, registering a notable 10.3 percent increase.
Rome Fiumicino and Athens lead airport growth surge
Rome Fiumicino ranked sixth with 48.7 million passengers but recorded the strongest growth among Europe’s top ten airports, rising by 20.8 percent. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport entered the top ten for the first time, displacing Paris Orly after an annual increase of 19.6 percent in passenger traffic. The data underline a broad-based resurgence in European air travel, driven by both tourism and expanding connectivity within and beyond the region, reflecting renewed consumer confidence, higher airline capacity, and a rebound in business and leisure travel across the continent. – By EuroWire News Desk.