Air traffic in the European network in summer 2026
Air traffic in Europe this summer is expected to grow on average by 2% compared to summer 2025, and in some weeks could be up to 5.1%. The network is already saturated making it increasingly important for all stakeholders to work closely together to make the best use of available capacity.
Summer 2026 is expected to be challenging, with close to 37,000 flights forecast on peak days. With traffic still being managed through only 80% of the airspace that was available before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, traffic remains unevenly distributed and some areas are still likely to cause bottlenecks, especially on the busier days.
The EUROCONTROL Network Manager (NM) has been working closely with the aviation partners across the network as well as MET providers to put in place scenarios that will enable a better use of available capacity from a network perspective. These network traffic distribution measures are expected to significantly reduce delays and stabilise the network while ensuring a balanced approach to horizontal and vertical flight efficiency.
Daily coordination mechanisms are also in place with all partners in the European air traffic network with the aim of reconciling demand from airlines for flights with available capacity in area control centres (ACCs) and on the ground. Part of this planning process includes jointly establishing the Network Operations Plan (NOP), a new edition of which is published each Friday as the Rolling Seasonal Plan. Each ‘Rolling NOP’ looks eight weeks ahead, and provides an overview on planning to minimise disruptions and maximise performance, based on the resources available.
EUROCONTROL NM’s #thinkNetwork campaign calls on all aviation actors to think of the impact of local decisions on network traffic as a whole. The campaign identifies six priority action areas for operational stakeholders in order to make busy summer traffic as efficient as possible for the travelling public. These are: Delivering agreed capacities; capacity and weather-based operations; realistic schedules, including turnaround times; prioritising first rotation; disciplined flight plan execution and P-DPI; technical modernisation, Datalink.
Throughout the summer, EUROCONTROL will be publishing regular Flash Briefings, giving a weekly update on the European air traffic network situation, and explaining where EUROCONTROL and partners have been concentrating efforts to reduce disruptions to the network to a minimum.
Consult the latest Flash Briefing, the Rolling NOP, and the #thinkNetwork guide.
Latest news and updates
EUROCONTROL Flash Briefings
EUROCONTROL Flash Briefings provide weekly update on the European air traffic network situation, highlighting actions taken with partners to minimise disruptions to the network.
European Network Operations Plan 2026 Rolling Seasonal Plan
The Plan plays a major role in helping European aviation to recover by providing aviation’s key actors with the global view they need to plan effectively.
EUROCONTROL launches #thinkNetwork 2026 guide
EUROCONTROL launches #thinkNetwork 2026 guide to support operational stakeholders, expanding for the first time to include MET providers.
Aviation Engage webinar on preparing for Summer 2026 traffic
This Aviation Engage webinar explored how European aviation actors are getting ready to manage busy summer traffic.
#thinkNetwork
EUROCONTROL has just published a brand-new version of its hands-on #thinkNetwork guide for operational aviation staff. The guide includes updated information for dispatchers, pilots, air traffic controllers, flow management positions, airports and – for the first time - MET providers to optimise operational decisions and to encourage all aviation actors to think of the impact of their decisions on the network as a whole.
