EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview

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EUROCONTROL’s European Aviation Overview – previously known as the Comprehensive Aviation Assessment – provides a detailed snapshot of the latest Network position.

It uses the latest traffic data to show how States, airports and airlines are performing, with further analysis on market segments, aircraft manufacturers, fuel prices, aviation sustainability and delays.

Quick summary of the latest numbers

23,366 flights/day

on average (from 16 to 22 February 2023)

87 %

of 2019 levels

+ 22 %

vs equivalent week in 2022

254 cents/gallon

fuel price, +1% compared to February 2022

+ 22 %

intra-European traffic vs same week in 2022

- 13 %

intra-European traffic vs 2019

Busiest airlines (average flights/day,
16 - 22 February 2023)

  1. Ryanair (2,180 flights),
    +12% vs same week in 2022;
  2. Turkish Airlines (1,329 flights),
    +31% vs same week in 2022;
  3. easyJet (1.285 flights),
    +21% vs same week in 2022;
  4. Air France Group (936 flights),
    +17% vs same week in 2022;
  5. Lufthansa Airlines (873 flights),
    +17% vs same week in 2022.

Busiest airports (average flights/day,
16 - 22 February 2023)

  1. iGA Istanbul (1,283 Dep/Arr flights),
    +36% compared to 2022;
  2. London Heathrow (1,184 Dep/Arr flights),
    +61% compared to 2022;
  3. Paris CDG (1,131 Dep/Arr flights),
    +27% compared to 2022;
  4. Amsterdam (1,077 Dep/Arr flights),
    +24% compared to 2022;
  5. Madrid Barajas (1,011 Dep/Arr flights),
    +25% compared to 2022.

Headlines from the EAO week 15-21 March 2023

  • The European aviation network is currently at 24,112 average daily flights for the period Wednesday 15.03-Tuesday 21.03 (+17% vs 2022), slightly increasing (+4%) vs the previous week, and at 88% of 2019.
  • Over the last 2 weeks, network traffic has been affected by industrial action in France caused by the pension law reform, as well as at some airports, notably in Germany.
  • Overall, France represented 77% of all en-route ATFM delays last week, with Germany accounting for 13%.
  • Arrival and departure punctuality were affected by these en-route ATFM delays, but has improved over the last few days.
  • All top 10 States have seen an increase of 2% to 10% of their arrival/departures vs the previous week.
  • All top 10 aircraft operators experienced growth between +1% and +8%; Air France and British Airways have shown the most growth (+8%), mainly due to a recovery of traffic after industrial action in France.
  • Four airlines are flying well above 2019 levels: Wizz Air (39%), Ryanair (+13%), Turkish Airlines (+6%) and Vueling (+5%).
  • The average jet fuel price fell to 2.37 USD/gallon on 17 March, which represents a drop of 7% compared to 17 February 2023, and of -17% compared to the beginning of 2023.

Learn more

Download our assessments for more details.

Files

EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview for the period of 15-21 March 2023
EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview for Thursday, 23 February 2023
EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview for Thursday, 9 February 2023
EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview for Thursday, 26 January 2023
EUROCONTROL Comprehensive Assessment for Thursday, 12 January 2023