Germany, Sweden, Israel, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Denmark, Greece, and more Spark a Powerful European Aviation Boom in January 2025

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Germany, Sweden, Israel, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Denmark, Greece, and several other nations played a pivotal role in fueling an unprecedented European aviation boom in January 2025, with passenger traffic soaring by 6.9% year-on-year. While countries like Israel (+77.7%), Uzbekistan (+23.0%), Hungary (+16.5%), Croatia (+13.8%), Czechia (+13.8%), Poland (+13.1%), Denmark (+13.0%), and Greece (+11.4%) led the charge with remarkable double-digit growth, Germany (+2.1%) and Sweden (-1.7%) lagged behind due to economic challenges and aviation tax burdens. This dynamic shift highlights the resilience of international travel demand, particularly in non-EU+ markets, which saw a staggering 11.4% increase, while major hubs like Istanbul, London-Heathrow, and Paris-CDG continued to dominate in passenger volumes.

The European airport trade body, ACI EUROPE, has released its much-anticipated traffic report for January 2025, providing the first major insight into air traffic trends in Europe for the year. The data reveals a robust 6.9% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic across the European airport network. This figure is largely in line with the 7.4% growth recorded throughout 2024, demonstrating continued resilience in passenger demand despite challenges in certain markets.

The performance in January 2025 was driven primarily by international passenger traffic, which grew by 8.3%, whereas domestic passenger numbers increased by a more modest 2.7%. Notably, domestic air travel remains 12.5% below pre-pandemic levels (2019), reflecting structural changes in the aviation industry that have persisted post-COVID-19.

Non-EU+ Market Outpaces Growth in EU+ Region

The non-EU+ airport network led the growth surge in January, posting a remarkable 11.4% increase compared to the same month in 2024. In contrast, EU+ airports recorded a more moderate but still strong 6.0% growth. This divergence highlights the faster recovery and expansion of air traffic in non-EU+ countries, many of which have benefited from increased demand in international travel and tourism.

Diverging Trends Among National Markets: Some Countries Soar, Others Struggle

Within the EU+ market, several countries achieved double-digit growth in passenger traffic compared to January 2024. Leading the way were:

Hungary: +16.5%Slovakia: +14.4%Croatia: +13.8%Czechia: +13.8%Poland: +13.1%Denmark: +13.0%Greece: +11.4%

At the other end of the spectrum, some major European markets significantly underperformed, struggling with economic pressures, aviation taxes, and internal market issues. These included:

Germany: +2.1%Ireland: +1.5%Sweden: -1.7%Slovenia: -3.4%

In particular, Ireland continues to feel the impact of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, while France is seeing the early consequences of its recent aviation taxation measures, which may further dampen growth in the coming months.

Non-EU+ Countries Post Record Growth

Among non-EU+ countries, the highest year-on-year increases in January 2025 were reported in:

Israel: +77.7%Moldova: +62.0%Bosnia and Herzegovina: +50.1%Uzbekistan: +23.0%Kosovo: +19.6%Georgia: +12.8%Albania: +11.9%Azerbaijan: +10.4%

Israel’s remarkable 77.7% growth was largely driven by the ceasefire and stabilization of travel conditions, but despite this increase, passenger traffic remains 42.3% below 2019 levels.

Conversely, several non-EU+ countries experienced declines, including:

Montenegro: -0.1%Serbia: -2.1%North Macedonia: -9.1%Russia: -9.9%

Ukraine’s airports remain entirely closed for commercial flights due to the ongoing war.

Istanbul Leads the Major Airports in Passenger Traffic

Among Europe’s busiest airports (those handling over 40 million passengers annually), total passenger traffic increased by 7.0% in January 2025 compared to the same month last year.

In absolute numbers, Istanbul Airport (IST) was the busiest airport, handling 6.4 million passengers (+7.1% vs. January 2024).

Top Five Major Airports in January 2025:Istanbul Airport (IST): 6.4 million passengers (+7.1%)London-Heathrow (LHR): 6.3 million passengers (+5.3%)Paris-CDG (CDG): 5.3 million passengers (+10.5%)Madrid-Barajas (MAD): 5.2 million passengers (+8.3%)Amsterdam-Schiphol (AMS): 4.8 million passengers (+5.7%)

In terms of growth rate, the fastest-growing major airports were:

Istanbul Sabiha Gökcen (SAW): +16.2%Rome Fiumicino (FCO): +11.3%Mega Airports and Regional GrowthMega Airports (25-40 million passengers annually)

This category saw 6.1% year-on-year growth, with the best-performing airports being:

Milan Malpensa (MXP): +14.9%Athens (ATH): +14.5%Copenhagen (CPH): +13.9%Oslo (OSL): +9.4%Manchester (MAN): +8.5%Large and Medium Airports (1-25 million passengers annually)

Airports serving tourism hotspots in Southern and Eastern Europe saw some of the most impressive growth, led by:

Tel Aviv (TLV): +83.2%Chișinău (RMO): +62.0%Sarajevo (SJJ): +50.1%Trieste (TRS): +43.1%Girona (GRO): +37.5%Poznan (POZ): +33.2%Freight and Aircraft MovementsFreight Traffic Decline Continues

Freight traffic at European airports fell by -9.1% in January 2025 compared to last year, reflecting weaker global trade demand. Among the top 10 freight airports, only four recorded growth:

Madrid (MAD): +6.9%Cologne (CGN): +4.2%Liège (LGG): +2.8%London-Heathrow (LHR): +0.5%Aircraft Movements Show Modest Growth

Aircraft movements in January 2025 rose by 4.6% compared to January 2024, yet remained 7.9% below 2019 levels, reflecting the post-pandemic shift towards more efficient scheduling and lower frequencies.

Germany, Sweden, Israel, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Denmark, Greece, and more fueled a powerful European aviation boom in January 2025, with air traffic surging by 6.9% year-on-year. While Israel, Uzbekistan, and Hungary saw explosive growth, Germany and Sweden lagged behind amid economic challenges and aviation taxes.

European Air Travel Starts 2025 with Strong Momentum

January 2025 marks another strong month for European aviation, with a 6.9% overall increase in passenger traffic, led by non-EU+ markets (+11.4%) and international flights (+8.3%). However, aviation taxation policies, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical conflicts continue to challenge certain countries.

While major hubs like Istanbul, London-Heathrow, and Paris-CDG saw solid growth, regional airports and those in Southern and Eastern Europe outperformed, demonstrating shifting travel patterns and increasing tourism demand.

The aviation industry remains resilient, but long-term challenges in domestic travel, freight traffic, and taxation policies could shape the market’s future performance.