Air passenger numbers in Europe are set to rise faster than previously forecast, according to ACI Europe, which now forecasts a full recovery by 2024 rather than 2025.
The European airports association foresees passenger numbers returning to 78% of 2019 levels this year, having previously forecast a return 10 percentage points lower at 68%.
However, ACI Europe warned of “significant uncertainty” due to the war in Ukraine, “worsening economic conditions” and threat of new Covid variants. It also warned of staffing issues “disproportionately affecting larger airports”.
ACI Europe director general Olivier Jankovec said: “Passenger traffic is trending along our optimistic scenario on the back of travel restrictions lifting across many markets and strong summer pent-up demand. But the history of the past three years suggests caution, especially as we still do not have an established playbook on how to deal with future Covid-19.”
He warned “the slump in airport revenues and continued financial weakness” allied to operational challenges and inflationary pressures would hit airport investment.