November 8, 2023 Nearly half of Europe’s airports have now recovered 2019 traffic volumes As Europe emerges from the longest year of travel disruption in living memory, there’s a small glimmer of hope – the news that nearly half of Euroean airports have now regained pre-pandemic traffic volumes. Every grounded plane and canceled flight has been felt across the continent in every sector, but for many travelers, the return of air connectivity is an indication that the last 12 months may at last be coming to an end. 1. Europe’s Airports Strike Again: Nearly Half Make a Comeback The news of airports reopening in Europe due to its resilience in stemming the tide of coronavirus infections has been music to many ears. After months of total airport closures and the decimation of air travel, hope is on the horizon. Across the continent, almost half of Europe’s air traffic restarted in mid-June. From Amsterdam to Lisbon, a substantial number can now be considered in the public transport network. While not scot-free from restrictions, the following improvements in airport regulations has contributed to a more manageable rate of travel: Airport security now operate additional checks to ensure only those travelling with medical certificates are allowed inside. Increased sanitary protocols of regular disinfection of surfaces. Masks are a must, and travellers are expected to keep them on at all times. Where possible, social distancing measures are in place and queues are well monitored. The future of European air travel is anything but clear, but, for now, airports across the continent have allowed a fragile industry to come back to life. As restrictions continue to ease and countries open their borders, the air travel sector should have more cause to celebrate. 2. How Europe’s Airports Re-Achieved their Pre-Pandemic Traffic Volumes The pandemic has been difficult for travelers, with thousands of cancelled flights and financial losses aproning during the prolonged period of travel restrictions. But, despite the restrictions, Europe’s airports have managed to re-achieve the pre-pandemic traffic volumes. Here’s how: Firstly, airlines within the European Union have shifted their focus to domestic services and leisure destinations, giving their passengers the opportunity to travel safely while keeping up with safety regulations. As a result, several of Europe’s busiest airports have reported an increase in domestic services. Furthermore, users of private jets have also started to trend strongly, with visits from CEOs, celebrities and public figures helping to pad the demand across major airports in the region. Secondly, airlines and airports have implemented safety protocols to ensure that passengers and staff travel safely. Temperature checks and deep cleaning of planes and airports have become commonplace, alongside face masks and physical distancing. Furthermore, contactless technologies have been deployed in airports to allow passengers fast-tracking and streamlined processes that result in seamless travel experiences. 3. Breaking Down the Transformation of Europe’s Airports During the Pandemic The coronavirus pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to the way Europe’s airports operate. Once bustling hubs of global travel activity, Europe’s airports have seen a drastic reduction in operations and customer demand. But what does the transformation of Europe’s airports really look like? Let’s take a closer look. Business Volume: Business has sharply decreased at Europe’s airports, with airlines canceling entire fleets of flights as a result of plummeting consumer demand. Many airports are operating at a fraction of their usual passenger volume, with some even stopped completely due to the collapse of regional air traffic. Economic Impact: The transformation has had a huge economic impact as revenues from passenger and cargo operations have significantly decreased. This has caused budget cuts and layoffs at airports across Europe. Social distancing measures have caused additional changes in Europe’s airports, from changing traffic patterns to the implementation of contactless check-in and automated security checks. These measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, while also allowing airports to remain open and operate at a reduced capacity. 4. The Impact of a Turn-around: Europe’s Airports in the Post-Pandemic Era The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on Europe’s airports – many having to close their operations or dramatically reducing their capacity due to travel restrictions and airline cancelations. However, while the outlook of airports throughout Europe was dire at the start of the pandemic, it’s truly phenomenal to see the remarkable turn-around many have made since. From airport staff who have worked with speed and agility to relaunch flights, to the expanding safety protocols and initiatives which are helping push an unwavering sense of recovery and security forward – airports across Europe are beginning to lift off again. Abolishing queues: airport infrastructure is adapting to the need of social distancing by implementing automated check-in kiosks and contactless technology. Encouraging digital interactivity: it is becoming increasingly apparent that digital interaction can help reduce the time at airports significantly. Fostering strict adherence: hygiene measures such as daily sanitization for both staff and passengers have become compulsory regulations at airports. The impact of the drastic yet nimble adaptation of airports is doing much more than merely ensuring passenger safety. Through both the short and long-term strategies that airports are adopting, it is clear that the entire European aviation sector is on a journey to recovery and, ultimately, in the best interest of all. The resilience of European aviation in the face of last year’s pandemic has been laudable, but it is important to remember that it isn’t over yet. We may have reached a point where almost half of Europe’s airports are back up and running, and that is a cause to celebrate, but there is still much that needs to be done for the sector to continue to recover. So here’s to the hardworking airports and the bright future they are paving! Here’s to European aviation! Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like Loading... Related Uncategorized