Europe’s Air Traffic Rebalance: Central and Eastern Markets Take the Lead

Between 2017 and 2025, aircraft departures and arrivals across Europe increased by a solid 8%, latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) figures showed. On the surface, this suggests a broadly recovering and expanding aviation market. A closer look, however, reveals a far more uneven picture—one in which Central and Eastern Europe emerge as some of the continent’s strongest performers, while several traditionally dominant northern and central markets lag behind.

A Continent Divided in Growth

Not all European aviation markets shared equally in the post-2017 expansion. In fact, much of Northern and Western Europe underperformed the continental average. Airports in Sweden experienced a steep 30% decline in aircraft movements over the period, while Germany saw movements fall by 17%. These contractions were significant enough to prompt policy reversals: Sweden eliminated its aviation ticket tax altogether, while Germany moved to limit its own, acknowledging the dampening effect such measures had on demand.

Southern Europe tells a very different story. Tourism-driven markets such as Portugal, Türkiye, Spain, and Italy recorded robust growth in aircraft movements, typically between 17% and 22%. Leisure demand, resilient tourist flows, and strong low-cost carrier presence all supported this expansion.

Central and Eastern Europe: The Standout Region

The most striking performance, however, comes from Central and Eastern Europe. Airports in Serbia, Poland, and Hungary recorded growth in aircraft movements of between 34% and 39%—well above both the European average and the gains seen in Southern Europe.

This surge reflects several structural advantages. The region has benefited from rapid route expansion by low-cost carriers, improving connectivity to Western Europe and beyond. At the same time, rising inbound tourism and strong outbound demand—driven by economic convergence and increased travel propensity—have supported sustained traffic growth. For many Central and Eastern European airports, this period marked a transition from secondary or peripheral status to becoming essential nodes in Europe’s short- and medium-haul network.

Regional Airports Outpace Major Hubs

Another notable trend is the strong relative performance of regional airports across Europe. Smaller airports frequently outpaced primary hubs in terms of growth in aircraft movements. Leisure travel, which rebounded faster and more strongly than business travel, played a central role. Tourists increasingly favored secondary cities and non-traditional destinations, a shift that directly benefited regional infrastructure.

Low-cost carriers capitalized on these dynamics, expanding point-to-point services and leveraging the lower airport charges typically offered by smaller airports. Major hubs, by contrast, faced capacity constraints in several cases, limiting their ability to grow movements even where demand existed.

Fewer Flights, More Passengers

Despite the 8% increase in aircraft movements, passenger numbers grew at twice that pace. Between 2017 and 2025, total passenger traffic expanded by 16%, underscoring a structural efficiency gain in European aviation. Airlines achieved this through larger average aircraft sizes and improved load factors, with Europe’s average passenger load factor rising from 83.8% in 2017 to 84.7% in 2025.

A Shift in Europe’s Aviation Center of Gravity

Taken together, these trends point to a gradual rebalancing of Europe’s aviation landscape. While some mature northern and western markets struggle with regulatory pressures and slower demand recovery, Central and Eastern Europe are asserting themselves as growth engines. For airlines, airports, and policymakers alike, the region’s performance highlights where Europe’s next phase of aviation growth is likely to be anchored.