European airports' passenger traffic negative for first time since post-COVID recovery, ACI says

European airports' passenger traffic slipped in April, marking the first year-on-year decline since the post-COVID recovery began five years ago, according to ACI Europe. The Brussels-based association said the European airport network logged a 0.7% drop in passenger numbers in April 2026 versus April 2025, underscoring a normalization after the strong rebound. The dip comes as geopolitical instability—most notably the war in the Middle East—adds headwinds, while oil-price spikes compound costs for carriers and travelers. Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe’s director general, cautioned that the outlook remains vulnerable to further shocks even as some markets recover.

ACI Europe’s report, released in Brussels on June 4, highlights how the broader energy shock is shaping traffic across the continent. The decline contrasts with earlier months when growth resumed, illustrating renewed sensitivity to external shocks. The study also points to continued stress in certain markets despite overall capacity recovery. Major European airport groups such as ADP, AENA, Fraport, and Flughafen Zürich are cited as indicators of a market-wide shift rather than a uniform downturn. The findings emphasize that the recovery is fragile, with geopolitical and energy developments likely to influence short- to medium-term demand.