Passenger traffic in European airports down slightly in April

Passenger traffic across European airports fell in April for the first time since the post-pandemic recovery began five years ago, driven by escalating disruptions and conflicts in the Middle East.

The April 2026 air traffic report released by the Brussels-based Airport Council International (ACI) Europe revealed that passenger volumes in the European airport network decreased by 0.7% compared to the same month last year, said a WAM news agency report.

According to the association, this contraction represents the first year-on-year decline in passenger numbers since the European aviation sector began its rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2021.