Brussels: 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.
According to Emirates News Agency, the April 2026 air traffic report released by the Brussels-based Airport Council International (ACI) Europe revealed that passenger volumes across the European airport network decreased by 0.7% compared to the same month last year.
This contraction represents the first year-on-year decline in passenger numbers since the European aviation sector initiated its initial rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2021. The drop highlights the ongoing challenges facing the aviation industry, as geopolitical tensions and operational disruptions continue to impact travel behaviors and airport operations across the continent.