European aviation bounced back in 2022 from the pandemic losses

Cristian Hatis 1 Min Read
Prague Airport in Czechia

2022 was the year European aviation weathered the storm, with the year closing on 9.3 million flights: 3.1 million more than last year, even if still 1.8 million fewer than 2019, according to EUROCONTROL data.

That represents 83% of 2019 traffic, achieved despite the Omicron spike at the start of the year and the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. However, traffic steadily recovered to 86% of 2019 by May, with similar monthly traffic levels ever since.

Leading the airline recovery in 2022 were the low-cost carriers, overall 85% of 2019 with two top performers in Ryanair (109% of 2019) and Wizz Air (114%).

While Europe’s top airports mostly struggled to recover more than 83% of 2019 traffic, Istanbul iGA led the way in first place and around 100% of 2019 levels for most of the year.

EUROCONTROL expects 2023 total traffic will reach 92% of pre-COVID levels, with full recovery from the pandemic to take place in 2025.

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