Air connectivity in Europe is still struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels, despite a full recovery in passenger traffic from 2024. These are the findings of the airport connectivity report 2025 published by ACI Europe (Airports Association International) at its recent annual conference.
The report is based on comprehensive connectivity criteria developed by SEO Amsterdam Economics. It finds that despite total air connectivity (direct and indirect) increasing by 7 % in 2025, this remains 9 % below 2019 levels. At a time when demand for air travel is strong, passengers are being offered fewer and often more expensive travel options.
ACI Europe urges policymakers to recognise air connectivity as more than just a transport indicator. " The data are indisputable: Europe needs a genuine strategic shift that puts air connectivity at the heart of its economic agendasocial and geopolitical "analysis Olivier Jankovec, Managing Director of ACI Europe.
Several factors explain the slow recovery: aviation policies that are often punitive (taxes)structural changes in travel demand and geopolitical upheaval.
The European Union+ market (including EU, EEA and UK) performs slightly better (-8 % compared with 2019) than the non-EU+ market (-12 %). The non-EU+ market suffered more from the disruption caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine and a weaker recovery in aviation. This is due to the fact that Ukrainian airports have lost all air connectivity, while those in Russia (-43%) and Belarus (-70%) have recorded dramatic declines.
Sun destinations on the rise
Performance varies considerably from one country to another. Greece (+35 %), Portugal (+10 %) and Cyprus (+8 %) are the big post-pandemic winners.. These markets were underpinned by strong demand for leisure and private (VFR) travel. And by the strong presence of low-cost carriers.
By contrast, very sharp declines in Sweden (-33%), Finland (-30%), Austria and Germany (both -21%). Demand exists in these markets. But it is being undermined by increases in national aviation taxes and limited political support for air travel.
Among the major European air markets, only Spain has exceeded its 2019 connectivity levels (+3%). The other major markets performed poorly. Connectivity down 7% in the UK, 14% in FranceThis is in addition to Germany's terrible performance, as highlighted above. The transfer rate in France could deteriorate further since the tax increase in March 2025.
"The evidence is clear: Europe needs a genuine strategic shift that puts air connectivity at the heart of its economic, social and geopolitical agenda":Olivier Jankovec, Managing Director of ACI Europe.
Istanbul on the rise
Istanbul airport remains Europe's best-connected hub with a high number of direct routes (+13 % compared with 2019). The airport has a dense network of routes to the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Africa and Europe.
Amsterdam Schiphol (-4%) ranked secondwith strong intra-European connections. However, the platform is facing limitations due to capacity cuts imposed by the government.
London Heathrow (-2%) came thirddominating transatlantic connectivity and routes to the Middle East in Western Europe. Frankfurt (-11%) moves up to fourth place. German airport overtakes Paris CDG (-7%), thanks to an intensification of its routes to Asia-Pacific (+17% compared with 2024).
The plan Connect France for CDGpresented in June, should help the French capital to rekindle its appeal as a global transfer hub. According to ADP statistics for the first half of 2025, the transfer rate for Paris airports was 20.5%. That's 2.4 points less than in 2019...
But it's not all bad. Many airports have fully recovered or even exceeded their 2019 connectivity levels. This includes Antalya (+29%), Athens (+24%), Dublin (+8%), Palma de Mallorca (+11%), Lisbon (+4%) and Rome-Fiumicino (+3%).
All these destinations are benefiting from strong leisure demand and the expansion of low-cost airlines. Low-cost direct connectivity has actually increased by 19 % since 2019, while scheduled air carriers (FSCs) have seen a decline of 15 %.
