In 2024, European airports collectively exceeded pre-pandemic passenger volumes, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry’s recovery.
However, Finland’s airports have not mirrored this trend, experiencing a slower rebound due to geopolitical challenges and subdued domestic growth.
European Aviation’s Resurgence
Data from 2024 indicates that European airports saw a 7.4% increase in air travel compared to the previous year, surpassing 2019 figures by 1.8%. This growth was particularly notable in countries like Turkey, Italy, and Spain, where airports experienced substantial passenger increases.
For instance, London’s Heathrow Airport reported 83.9 million passengers, a 5.9% rise from the previous year, setting new records during the summer months.
Major events, such as international concerts and sporting events, significantly contributed to this surge.
Finland’s Slower Recovery
Contrasting the broader European trend, Finland’s airports have struggled to regain their pre-pandemic traffic levels.
Passenger volumes remain 25% below those of 2019, positioning Finland behind its Nordic counterparts; Norway’s airports operated at 95% and Sweden’s at 81% of their 2019 capacities.
Finavia, the entity overseeing Finland’s airports, reported serving 19.6 million passengers in 2024, with Helsinki Airport accounting for 16.3 million.
The sluggish recovery is largely attributed to the closure of Russian airspace, impacting Asian flight routes and reducing transfer passenger numbers.
Petri Vuori, Finavia’s Senior Vice President, highlighted these geopolitical factors as significant impediments to Finland’s air traffic recovery.
International vs. Domestic Traffic in Finland
In 2024, Finland’s international air traffic grew by 8.8%, while domestic travel saw a modest increase of 2.5%, still 6.3% below pre-pandemic levels.
This aligns with global trends, where international routes are anticipated to drive more robust growth.
The Airports Council International (ACI) World projects global passenger numbers to reach 17.7 billion by 2043 and 22.3 billion by 2053, nearly 2.4 times the figures from 2024.
Leisure Travel: A Key Driver
Leisure travel has been pivotal in the resurgence of air traffic across Europe.
Tourism-centric destinations such as Malta, Croatia, Italy, and Greece have witnessed notable passenger increases.
In Finland, leisure travel, especially to Lapland, has been instrumental in driving traffic.
Rovaniemi Airport, serving as a gateway to Lapland, recorded a 29% passenger increase in 2024, reaching 948,151 travelers.
Other Lapland airports, including Ivalo and Kittilä, also saw significant growth, with passenger numbers rising by 12.8% and 9.9%, respectively.
This surge underscores a shift toward leisure travel, contrasting with the slower recovery of business travel, which has only reached 50–60% of pre-pandemic levels.
Leading European Airports in 2024
The top five European airports by passenger numbers in 2024 were:
- London Heathrow: 83.9 million passengers
- Istanbul Airport: 80.1 million passengers
- Paris Charles de Gaulle: 70.3 million passengers
- Amsterdam Schiphol: 66.8 million passengers
- Madrid-Barajas Airport: 66.1 million passengers
These figures highlight a robust recovery in major European hubs, with several airports surpassing their 2019 passenger numbers.
Conclusion
While European airports have, on average, rebounded to and even exceeded pre-COVID passenger volumes, Finland’s aviation sector continues to face challenges.
Geopolitical issues, particularly the closure of Russian airspace, coupled with a sluggish domestic market, have impeded Finland’s full recovery.
Nonetheless, the growth in leisure travel, especially to regions like Lapland, offers a silver lining and potential avenue for future growth.
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