ACI Europe: Greece and Athens Stand Out for Air Connectivity in Europe

Greece and Athens top the list of countries and airports in the EU+ market that have fully recovered and surpassed their pre-pandemic (2019) total air connectivity levels, according to ACI Europe.

The European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators, ACI Europe represents over 500 airports in 55 countries.

According to ACI Europe’s recently released 2024 Airport Industry Connectivity Report, total air connectivity (direct + indirect air connectivity) in Europe remains -14 percent below pre-pandemic (2019) levels.

ACI Europe said the “weak improvement” over last year’s performance (2023 at -16 percent), stands in “stark contrast with passenger volumes which are on the verge of a full recovery” — and thus points to consumers and communities seeing fewer and more costly options.

While total air connectivity in the EU+ markets stands at -13 percent when compared to pre-pandemic (2019) levels, geopolitical tensions have driven the non-EU+ market to significantly underperform at -20 percent.

Significant performance gaps amongst national markets

According to ACI Europe’s report, the structural changes in the aviation market — in particular the prominence of leisure and Visiting Friends & Relatives (VFR) demand and the expansion of Ultra Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) — as well as geopolitics are shaping the performance of individual national markets:

Greece, with its total air connectivity seeing an increase of 22 percent, is the first out of only three countries in the EU+ market that have fully recovered and exceeded their pre-pandemic levels. Greece is followed by Iceland (+7 percent) and Portugal (+4 percent).

2024 Airport Industry Connectivity Report. Source: ACI Europe

At the other end of the spectrum, Finland (-37 percent), Sweden (-31 percent), Slovenia (-29 percent) along with the Czech Republic and Austria (both at -28 percent) remain the farthest from a full recovery.

Amongst the largest EU+ market, the best performance came from heavily tourism-reliant Spain (-2 percent) followed by the UK (-12 percent), France (-15 percent) and Germany (-24 percent).

Meanwhile, in the non-EU+ market, the best performances in total air connectivity are reported by Albania (+55 percent), Uzbekistan (+29 percent) and Türkiye (+24 percent).

“If anything, this year’s report shows that air connectivity should not be taken for granted,” ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec said.

According to Jankovec, Europe is “resetting” its strategic direction for the next five years with a “renewed focus” on competitiveness and cohesion.

“As every 10 percent increase in direct air connectivity yields a 0.5 percent increase in GDP per capita, there is no doubt air connectivity is an essential part of competitiveness — be it at local, national or European level ­— and a key enabler of cohesion,” he said.

Athens Airport exceeds pre-pandemic direct connectivity and hub connectivity

2024 Airport Industry Connectivity Report. Source: ACI Europe

ACI Europe’s report said Istanbul remains on top of the European ranking for direct connectivity with a 9 percent increase since pre-pandemic 2019.

Along with Istanbul, only the following airports have recovered and/or exceeded their pre-pandemic (2019) direct connectivity: Athens International Airport (+17 percent), Palma de Mallorca (+8 percent), Dublin (+3 percent), Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen (+3 percent), Lisbon (+3 percent) and Rome-Fiumicino (0 percent).

Moreover, when looking at the Niche & Smaller Hubs group, Athens stands out — with a 38 percent increase in hub connectivity compared to last year and 73 percent rise compared to pre-pandemic (2019).

Apart from Athens, only Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen (+24 percent), Lisbon (+7 percent), Dublin (+6 percent) and Keflavik (+4 percent) have exceeded their pre-pandemic (2019) hub connectivity levels. According to ACI Europe, this reflects both the penetration of Low Cost Carriers at these airports and the dynamism of the transatlantic market.

Meanwhile, Frankfurt remains in the top position globally for hub connectivity despite posting -23 percent below its pre-pandemic (2019) level. The German hub is followed by Dallas Fort Worth (-4 percent) and Istanbul, which has seen its hub connectivity expanding by 37 percent since 2019.

2024 Airport Industry Connectivity Report. Source: ACI Europe

Overall, hub connectivity across Europe remains -18 percent below its pre‑pandemic (2019) level this year, and thus keeps significantly underperforming against direct connectivity (-8 percent). Although the gap has narrowed somewhat over the past 3 years, it remains significant — pointing to structural hub shrinkage and reflecting changed connectivity patterns, ACI Euope noted.

“Our policy makers must address the several factors that will further shape Europe’s air connectivity, including climate action, technological progress and airline consolidation,” Jankovec said.

“Looking at climate action in particular, we have no choice but to progress towards decarbonising aviation while at the same time safeguarding the socio-economic benefits of air connectivity. This will require further flexibility and supportive measures in implementing the EU Fit for 55 framework,” ACI Europe’s director general said.

ACI Europe members facilitate over 90 percent of commercial air traffic in Europe.