European air connectivity: a story of fragile recovery
Air connectivity across Europe is continuing its post-pandemic rebound, but new data from ACI EUROPE’s 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report shows that progress remains uneven. While passenger traffic surpassed pre-2019 levels in 2024 and continues to grow, total air connectivity is still 9% below where it stood before COVID-19.
This slower pace of recovery highlights how the aviation landscape has evolved, influenced by structural market changes, national policies, and broader geopolitical developments. The report, launched ahead of the ACI EUROPE Annual Congress & General Assembly in Athens, serves as a key reference for tracking these dynamics.
Rebuilding connectivity: progress and gaps
Many European countries have made strong gains. Greece, Portugal, and Cyprus, for example, have all significantly increased their connectivity compared to 2019, driven largely by tourism demand and the growing role of low-cost carriers (LCCs). However, a number of other markets – including Sweden, Finland, and Germany – are still seeing double-digit percentage declines.
The reasons are varied. In addition to the effects of global events such as the war in Ukraine and the Gaza conflict, national policy frameworks – particularly aviation taxes – have had a measurable impact. Countries with higher proportion of tax on the ticket price, like France and Germany, are seeing slower recoveries. France’s recent increase in aviation taxation, in particular, is expected to continue influencing connectivity levels.
Another trend shaping connectivity is the shift in demand patterns. Leisure travel and Visiting Friends & Relatives (VFR) traffic now dominate, and LCCs have expanded significantly – their direct connectivity from European airports has grown 19% since 2019. Meanwhile, traditional Full-Service Carriers (FSCs) have reduced their connectivity by 15%.
Istanbul’s strong performance
Among the individual airports’ performance, Istanbul Airport’s meteoric rise stands out in particular. It now leads Europe in both direct and hub connectivity, having increased its direct connectivity by 13% and hub connectivity by 59% compared to 2019. This performance is supported by the continued expansion of Turkish Airlines, available airport capacity, and Türkiye’s aviation policy framework, which has been conducive to growth. The airport also benefits from its geographic location, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Istanbul’s rise reflects how airports can thrive with the right combination of strategic investment, capacity, and policy alignment. As Europe considers how to support a more balanced recovery, there are valuable insights to draw from this model.
Looking ahead
The 2025 report makes clear that while European air connectivity is on the road to recovery, disparities remain – both between regions and among individual airports. To close the gap, a more consistent and forward-looking policy approach is needed, particularly when it comes to supporting connectivity and reviewing the impacts of taxation. Ensuring that connectivity keeps pace with demand will be key to reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness, cohesion, and global reach.
Access the digital version of the Report here.
Download PDF here.
