Passenger traffic across the European airport network increased by 4.9% in August 2025 compared with the same month last year, according to the latest data from ACI EUROPE.

The figures confirm that summer demand remains strong, with international travel driving growth.

International passenger traffic rose by 5.6%, far outpacing domestic traffic (+1.6%), while total passenger volumes stood 7% above pre-pandemic levels (August 2019).

EU+ vs. Rest of Europe

Airports in the EU+ area (EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK) posted a +4% rise in passenger volumes, slightly below the European average. The strongest growth came from Poland (+15.1%), Slovenia (+11.7%), and Romania (+10.3%), while Latvia (-6.7%), Estonia (-4.5%), and Iceland (-2.5%) recorded declines.

Among the major EU+ markets, all reported moderate growth: Germany (+4.2%), Spain (+3.8%), Italy (+2.8%), the UK (+1.7%), and France (+1%).

By contrast, airports in the Rest of Europe—including the Balkans, Israel, Turkey, and Eastern Europe—grew at a faster pace of +8.8% year-on-year. Moldova (+46.6%), Israel (+38.1%), and Bosnia & Herzegovina (+20.4%) posted exceptional gains, while Russia (-13.3%) remained in decline.

Airport Market Segments

Among major airports (handling over 40 million passengers annually), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (+21.5%) led the growth, followed by Istanbul Airport (+6.8%). Both Istanbul and Heathrow surpassed 8 million passengers in a single month, a historic milestone.

Mega airports (25–40 million passengers) saw a +4.2% increase, led by Milan Malpensa (+10.2%), Copenhagen (+8.6%), and Athens (+6.8%).

Strong above-average growth was also recorded across Large (10–25 million), Medium (1–10 million), and Small (under 1 million) airport categories, driven by Low-Cost Carrier expansion and robust leisure and VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) demand. Medium airports exceeded pre-pandemic levels by double digits.

The standout performers included Warsaw, Krakow, Tel Aviv, and Tirana, while among small airports, Antwerp (+769.4%), Bucharest BBU (+118.6%), and Syros Island (+105.3%) recorded spectacular year-on-year surges.

Despite this positive trend, small airports remain 20% below their pre-pandemic passenger levels.

Freight and Aircraft Movements

Freight traffic declined by 5.8% in August compared with 2024, though still stood 7% above pre-pandemic levels. The best-performing freight hubs were Liège (+29%), Madrid (+11.4%), and Milan Malpensa (+6%).

Aircraft movements across Europe increased by 3.3% year-on-year, reflecting the overall rise in passenger demand.

Strong summer momentum continues

The August 2025 figures confirm that Europe’s air transport recovery remains resilient, supported by international travel, the expansion of low-cost networks, and strong tourism flows. Airports in Southern and Eastern Europe continue to outperform Western markets, while the growing prominence of secondary and regional airports underscores the changing dynamics of European connectivity.