Europe recorded an average of 35.959 flights a day during the summer holiday period between July and August 2026, up 2,4% from 2025, according to data published by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, Eurocontrol. Traffic reached a record 37.640 flights on Friday, July 10.
On-time performance improves as France tops delay rankings
Some 72,6% of flights arrived on time despite increased air traffic across the continent, an improvement of 1,2 percentage points from 2025. France remained the worst performer for delays caused by air traffic management problems, accounting on its own for 32% of all delays.
A shift in flight traffic between European destinations
Eurocontrol acknowledged that the war between the United States and Iran had “affected” this year’s tourism season, but said it had also prompted many Europeans to spend their holidays within the continent, which is widely seen as safer.
The organisation’s report, released on Friday, showed a decline in air traffic to Bulgaria, Hungary and Turkey, compared with a “significant increase” in traffic to Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia, along with “continued growth” in southwestern Europe.
Record passenger numbers at Greek airports pushed the country’s air traffic management system to operate at full capacity, particularly during the peak season.
14 countries and airlines record all-time highs
Fourteen countries recorded their highest-ever levels of daily arrivals and departures this summer: Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey.
Several airlines also recorded record passenger traffic, including Aegean, Air Serbia, easyJet, Jet2.com, Pegasus, Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, Sky Express, SunExpress, Turkish Airlines and Wizzair.
