SUPPORTING EUROPEAN AVIATION
1
8 December 2022
EUROCONTROL
Comprehensive Assessment
EUROPEAN AVIATION
2022 YEAR-TO-DATE
What happened in 2022?
(1 Jan – 6 Dec 2022)
The network recorded circa 25,569 daily flights on average in 2022 (year-to-date),
83.1% of 2019 levels.
Network traffic (flights) has been in line with the base EUROCONTROL Traffic
Scenario during Summer; and is now lying between the low and the base scenarios
since the start of the Winter schedules.
Ryanair was the busiest aircraft operator with 2,566 flights per day on average (+9%
vs 2019) accounting for 10% of European flights, followed by easyJet (1,347; -20%),
Turkish Airlines (1,249; -7%), Lufthansa (1,067; -29%), Air France (952; -21%), KLM
(709; -18%),and Wizz Air (667; +13%).
The United Kingdom was the busiest State in the network with 4,728 flights per day
on average (-20% vs 2019), followed by Germany (4,293; -25%), Spain (4,277; -9%),
France (3,763; -14%) and Italy (3,201; -12%).
Intra-European traffic was 15% below 2019 levels. Inter-Continental flights were
26% below 2019 levels.
iGA Istanbul* (1,206; -5%), was the busiest airport within the network and is
ranked 10
th
globally. Amsterdam (1,147; -21%) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (1,120;
-20%) completed the top 3.
Arrival punctuality (within 15 min.) is ~72% while departure punctuality is ~66%,
both below 2019 levels.
The average share of non-operated schedules (~cancellations) for all European
operators was just below 7%.
Jet fuel prices averaged 337 cts/gallon in 2022, an increase of 88% on 2021 prices.
Statistics in this edition are covering the 2022 period : 1 Jan 2022 to 6 Dec 2022 and are compared to
the equivalent period in 2019, unless otherwise mentioned.
* Comprises combined figures for iGA Istanbul and Atatürk.
83.1%
vs 2019
Traffic Situation
Avg daily flights (including overflights)
(1 Jan – 6 Dec 2022)
3
Economics
Avg Fuel price:
cents/gallon
Jan-Nov 2022
Source: IATA/Platts
TOP 10 AIRPORTS, FLOWS AND MARKET SEGMENTS
Route charges
vs. Jan-Oct 2019
-5%
Jan-Oct 2022
Amount billed:
Source: EUROCONTROL
€ 6,462 million
337
+88%
vs. Jan-Nov 2021
*
*
OVERALL TRAFFIC SITUATION AT NETWORK LEVEL
On a year-to-date basis in
2022 (1 Jan – 6 Dec):
25,569 average daily flights.
83.1% of 2019 traffic levels.
At the early start of 2022, the
network traffic was affected by
the COVID-19 variant Omicron.
Then, flight levels were quite
strong during Summer, with
average numbers above
30,000. Since the change to
Winter schedules, traffic
volumes (flights) are much
lower (~22,000).
OVERALL SITUATION COMPARED TO THE
EUROCONTROL TRAFFIC SCENARIOS
The last EUROCONTROL
Traffic Scenarios were
published on 6 April 2022.
During Spring, actual traffic
within the network was in
line with the high scenario.
Over Summer, actual traffic
was quite in line with the
base scenario. Since
November, traffic is below
the base scenario.
For 2022, network traffic is
expected to stand at 84% of
2019 in the base scenario
(see
7-year forecast).
AVIATION SUSTAINABILITY
Network:
• Traffic variation -15%
• CO
2
variation -20%
MARKET SEGMENTS
So far in 2022, compared to 2019:
Business Aviation (+16%) and All-cargo
(+5%) were the only two segments
recording traffic constantly above 2019
levels (Cargo flights are currently slightly
below 2019 levels).
Charter (-14%) was recording more traffic
than in 2019 at the start of the year but
started to step back with the start of the
war in Ukraine.
Low-Cost (-15%) has been recovering
steadily from 50% below 2019 levels in
January to 11% below 2019 levels early
December.
Mainline and Regional (-26%, each) have
been recovering at a slower pace than
low-cost, from 40% below 2019 to
around 20% (below 2019) nowadays.
AIRCRAFT OPERATORS (AVERAGE DAILY FLIGHTS FOR 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
Within the top 10, only two airlines managed to
exceed their 2019 volumes:
Wizz Air (+13%): mainly due to increases on domestic
flows in Italy, flows between Italy and Albania, Spain
and the UK, Italy and the UK or Albania and Germany.
Ryanair (+9%) mainly due to increases on domestic
flows in Italy and Spain, as well as increases on flows
between Italy and Spain, Italy and Poland, France and
Spain or France and Italy.
Other airlines have not yet recovered their 2019 traffic
levels, amongst which:
SAS Group (-35%): mainly due to decreases on
domestic flows in Norway and Sweden, and on flows
between Finland and Sweden, Denmark and
Germany, Denmark and Sweden&Norway.
British Airways (-30%): mainly due to decreases on
domestic flows as well as decreases on flows between
the UK and Germany, Italy France and the US.
Ryanair was the busiest aircraft operator with 2,566 flights per
day on average (+9% vs 2019) in 2022 so far, followed by
easyJet (1,347; -20%), Turkish Airlines (1,249; -7%), Lufthansa
(1,067; -21%), Air France (952; -21%), KLM (709; -18%), Wizz
Air (667; +13%) and British Airways (642; -30%).
Ryanair, easyJet and Air France maintained their pre-covid
2019 rankings (1
st
, 2
nd
and 5
th
respectively). Turkish Airlines
moved up the 3
rd
busiest operator in 2022.
Aircraft Operators
Average Daily Dep/Arr Flights
Ryanair Group 2,566 +9%
easyJet Group 1,347 -20%
Turkish Airlines 1,249 -7%
Lufthansa Airlines 1,067 -29%
Air France Group 952 -21%
KLM Group 709 -18%
Wizz Air Group 667 +13%
British Airways Group 642 -30%
Vueling 547 -10%
SAS Group 536 -35%
Rank
evolution
over 2019
Top 10 AOs (1 Jan - 06 Dec 2022)
% vs 2019
AIRCRAFT OPERATORS (AVERAGE DAILY FLIGHTS 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
In 2022, so far:
Highest increases in flights
compared to 2019 for Wizz Air
(+13%), Loganair (+12%), Ryanair
(+9%) and Wideroe (+1%).
Largest decreases in flights
compared to 2019 for Norwegian
(-43%), Air Europa (-40%),
Eurowings (-37%), Brussels Airlines
(-36%), SAS (-35%) and Finnair (-
33%).
Top 28 Aircraft Operators
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS (SHARE OF FLIGHTS 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
At European level, 38% of all flights in
2022 (YTD) were operated by Airbus
aircraft vs 32% by Boeing aircraft.
The situation varies for the top 20
aircraft operators. For these, Airbus’
share was 52% while Boeing’s share
was 35%.
Flights of the top 20 Aircraft operators
AIRCRAFT OPERATORS: SHARE OF NON-OPERATED
SCHEDULES IN 2022 (01 JAN - 06 DEC 2022)
Operational impact of non-
operated schedules for 2022, so far:
The average of non-operated
schedules at European level is 7%
on a year-to-date basis.
Highest proportion of the non-
operated schedules was during
Q1 2022 (Omicron).
Then, during summer, high non-
operated flights values were
recorded for SAS, KLM, easyJet
and Lufthansa.
Non-operated schedules is the percentage of airline schedules for which no ATC flight plan was matchedcompared to the total number of expected flights.
Top 10 Aircraft Operators
AIRCRAFT OPERATORS (AVERAGE DAILY FLIGHTS 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
Cargo, Legacy, Low Cost and Regional Carriers
In 2022, so far:
UK is the State with the highest number of dep/arr flights on average
over in 2022 (4,728; -20% vs 2019), followed by Germany (4,293;
-25%), Spain (4,277; -9%), France (3,763; -14%), Italy (3,201; -12%) and
Türkiye (2,634; -8%).
In this top 10, Greece(+1%) is the only State exceeding its 2019 traffic
volumes.
STATES (AVERAGE DAILY DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL FLIGHTS, 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
Within the top 10, all States but one posted
flight decreases compared to 2019:
Germany (-25%): mainly due to less flights
operated by Lufthansa, Eurowings, easyJet
and Ryanair. On domestic flows, and flows
with the UK, Russia, Italy and France.
UK (-20%): mainly due to the failure of
Flybe but also to decreases for British
Airways, easyJet and Stobart Air. Mainly on
domestic flows and flows with Germany,
France, the Netherlands and Spain.
Increase for:
Greece (+1%): mainly due to SkyExpress,
easyJet, Jet2 and Wizz Air. On flows with the
UK, Germany, France, Switzerland and the
US.
STATES (AVERAGE DAILY DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL FLIGHTS 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
STATES (AVERAGE DAILY DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL FLIGHTS 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
In 2022, so far:
Highest increases in flights
(vs 2019) for Albania
(+38%), Armenia (+31%),
Bosnia-Herzegovina
(+14%) and Greece (+1%).
Largest decreases for
Ukraine (-89%), Latvia
(-36%), Slovenia (-33%),
Finland (-32%) and Czech
Republic (-31%).
EUROCONTROL Member States
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE PUNCTUALITY (AT TOP AIRPORTS FOR
2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
Network punctuality in 2022 (Year-to-date):
Overall Arrival and Departure punctuality dropped in 2022, compared to 2019, although lower traffic volumes:
Reactionary delays contributed the most to the drop in schedule punctuality notably during the afternoon and evening.
Airline, ground handling and airport operator related delays also saw a strong increase compared to 2019, notably caused
by staff shortages and industrial actions.
There were significantly more En-Route ATFM delays in the network from a combination of ATC capacity, weather and
increased complexity due the Ukrainian crisis which generated additional ATFM delays as traffic flows shifted following the
closure of the Ukrainian FIR.
More detailed information be found on our new daily punctuality dashboards: main link, States link and Airports link.
EN-ROUTE ATFM DELAYS
In 2022, so far:
Major cause of en-route
ATFM delay was Capacity
and Staffing accounting for
47% of the delay causes.
Weather, especially during
the Summer season,
accounted for 23% of en-
route ATFM delays.
EN-ROUTE ATFM DELAYS
In 2022, so far:
Major contributors were :
Germany (36% of all en-
route ATFM delays), followed
by France (22%), Czech
Republic (5%), Poland (5%)
and Hungary (5%).
TOTAL ATFM DELAYS (ALL CAUSES, AIRPORTS AND EN-ROUTE)
EUROCONTROL Network, 2019 and 2022 (7-day average)
TRAFFIC FLOWS (AVERAGE DAILY DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL FLIGHTS FOR 2022 YTD)
The main traffic flow was intra-European with 20,339 flights on average in 2022, -15% over the same period in 2019.
The Inter-Continental flow, recording 4,569 daily flights on average in 2022, was 26% below 2019 levels.
Flows between Europe and Other Europe (incl. Russia) were at -71% compared to 2019.
Flows between Europe and Asia/Pacific were at -33% compared to 2019. Flows from, to and within China are still severely depressed
(see next slide).
REGION
(Average daily flights)
1 Jan - 6 Dec
2022
vs. 2019
Intra-Europe 20,339 -15%
Europe<->Asi a/Paci fi c 533 -33%
Europe<->Mid-Atlantic 172 -0%
Europe<->Mi ddl e-Eas t 1,195 -17%
Europe<->North Atlanti c 1,085 -10%
Europe<->North-Afri ca 854 -17%
Europe<->Other Europe 311 -71%
Europe<->South-Atlantic 145 -22%
Europe<->Southern Africa 275 -12%
Non Intra-Europe 4,569 -26%
OUTSIDE EUROPE: SITUATION IN CHINA OVER THE 2019-2022 PERIOD
Owing to the strict implementation
of a zero-COVID-19 policy, China
recorded a series of peaks and
troughs vis-à-vis its number of
flights since 2020. Early December
2022, the number of domestic
flights records is just above 4,000
daily flights, corresponding to a
66% decline (vs 1 Jan 2020).
It has been nearly three years the
international flights stagnated,
recording 1,223 flights early
December (-72% compared to 1
Jan 2020). Overflights remained
suppressed too with 905 flights
(-52% vs 1 Jan 2020).
OUTSIDE EUROPE: SITUATION IN MIDDLE-EAST OVER THE 2019-
2022 PERIOD
In March 2020 with the start of
COVID, traffic between Europe
and Middle East dropped by more
than 86%.
Since then, Intra traffic has
constantly and regularly increased
Since June 2022, the number of
domestic, international flights and
overflights in the Middle-East is
back to pre-COVID levels.
TRAFFIC FLOWS (SHARE OF FLOWS TO/FROM EUROPE FOR
2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
So far in 2022, Intra-European
flights represented 82% of
total traffic.
Dealing with Inter-Continental
flows, the busiest partner with
Europe was the Middle-East
(accounting for 5%) followed
by North Atlantic (4%) and
North-Africa (3%). The
respective shares remained
stable compared to 2019.
However, in 2019, the third
busiest partner with Europe
was “Other Europe” (Russian
Federation) with 3.5%--now
1% (in 2022).
OUTSIDE EUROPE (SHARE OF FLOWS TO/FROM EUROPE FOR THE LAST WEEK)
Europe (30 Nov– 6 Dec)
Intra-European -14%
International -16%
Middle East (29 Nov – 4-6 Dec)
Domestic +7%
International - 5%
China (29 Nov – 5 Dec)
Domestic -72%
International -69%
USA (28 Nov – 4 Dec)
Domestic -15%
International
not available
Week 1 December – 7 December 2022 vs equivalent week in 2019
COUNTRY PAIRS (AVERAGE DAILY FLIGHTS FOR 2022 YEAR-TO-DATE)
Within the top 10, all flows posted a
decrease in 2022 YTD compared to 2019:
Germany-Germany (-37%) mainly due
to Lufthansa, Eurowings, easyJet and
Luxair.
UK-UK (-25%) mainly due to Flybe
(failure in March 2020), British Airways,
Eastern Airways and Ryanair.
Türkiye-Türkiye (-19%) mainly due to
Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Atlasjet and
Onur Air.
France-France (-15%) mainly due to Air
France, school flights, Chalair, Eastern
Airways and ASL.
Eight of the top 10 flows in 2022 were domestic:
Spain-Spain is the country-pair with the highest number of dep/arr flights
(1,149) followed by France-France (939), Italy-Italy (822), UK-UK (766),
Norway-Norway (760) and Türkiye-Türkiye (753).
Country Pairs Average Daily Dep/Arr Flights
Spain <-> Spain 1,149 -4%
France <-> France 939 -15%
Italy <-> Italy 822 -1%
United Kingdom <-> United Kin
766 -25%
Norway <-> Norway 760 -2%
Türkiye <-> Türkiye 753 -19%
Spain <-> United Kingdom 697 -11%
Germany <-> Germany 587 -37%
Germany <-> Spain 475 -12%
Greece <-> Greece 331 -2%
Rank
evolution
over 2019
Top 10 Country Pairs (1 Jan - 06 Dec 2022)
% vs 2019
AIRPORTS (AVERAGE DAILY DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL FLIGHTS FOR 2022 YTD)
Top 10
Within the top 10, nine airports posted
decreases in 2022 YTD, compared to 2019:
Munich (-32%) due to Lufthansa,
Eurowings, easyJet and Swiss. On
domestic flows a well as flows with
Italy, the UK and Russia.
Frankfurt (-26%) due to Lufthansa,
Ryanair, Austrian and ITA. On domestic
flows and flows with Italy, Russia,
Austria and Poland.
London Gatwick (-24%) mainly due to
British Airways, Norwegian and easyJet.
On flows with the Spain and Italy.
Increase for:
Palma de Mallorca (+1%) mainly due to
Eurowings, Swiftair and Ryanair. On
domestic flows, as well as flows with
France, Italy and Switzerland.
iGA Istanbul is the airport with the highest number of dep/arr flights
(1,2006), followed by Amsterdam (1,147), Paris CDG (1,120), Frankfurt
(1,054) and London Heathrow (1,038).
Palma de Mallorca is the only airport in the top 10 which recorded traffic
levels above 2019 (+1%).
Airport Average Daily Dep/Arr Flights
iGA Istanbul*
1,206
-5%
Amsterdam 1,147
-18%
Paris Charles de Gaulle 1,120
-20%
Frankfurt 1,054
-26%
London Heathrow
1,038
-21%
Madrid Barajas 962
-18%
Barcelona
781
-18%
Munich 780
-32%
Palma de Mallorca 627 +1%
London Gatwick
598 -24%
* Comprises combined figures for IGA Istanbul and Atatürk
Rank
evolution
over 2019
Top 10 Airports (1 Jan - 06 Dec 2022)
% vs 2019
AIRPORTS (AVERAGE DAILY DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL FLIGHTS FOR 2022 YTD)
In 2022, so far:
Largest increase in flights
vs 2019 for Palma de
Mallorca (+1%).
Largest decreases for
Düsseldorf (-38%), Helsinki
(-32%), Rome Fiumicino
(-32%), Munich (-32%),
Vienna (-28%) and
Stockholm Arlanda(-28%).
Top 30
TOP 40 GLOBAL AIRPORTS (AVERAGE DAILY DEPARTURE FLIGHTS)
Comparing the 1 Jan to 4 Dec
2022 with the same period in
2019 (left):
8 European airports are
ranked in the Top 40 global
airports (vs 7 in 2019)
The first European airport
(rank 10) is iGA Istanbul*.
Two other airports in the Top
15: Amsterdam Schiphol and
Paris Charles de Gaulle.
11 of the Top 15 global
airports are currently located
in the US.
The highest Asian airport
currently is New Delhi (12
th
).
AIRCRAFT OPERATORS: FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR
THE FIRST NINE MONTHS (JAN-SEP)
During the first 9 months of
2022, and compared to 2021:
Turkish Airlines has recorded
the highest operating profits
for the first 9 months of 2022
(+2,329 M€).
Other flag carrier groups (Air
France/KLM, IAGand
Lufthansa) also posted
positive operating profits.
Ryanair has posted strongly
positive results. Pegasus
recorded profits too, to a
lesser extent.
U.S passenger airlines recorded $303 million pre-tax losses for the first 9 months of 2022 (source: A4A)
EN-ROUTE AIR NAVIGATION CHARGES
EUROCONTROLhas billed
6,462M€ on a year-to-date
basis (Jan-Oct 2022).
This is 5% below the
amount billed for the same
period in 2019.
FUEL & TICKET PRICES
Jet fuel prices averaged 337 cts/gallon in 2022 (January to November).
Jet fuel prices were stable at 254 cts/ gallon in January-February and
remained extremely volatile since the Russian invasion of Ukraine to
average 353 cts/gallon from March (+39% vs Jan-Feb).
Overall, average fuel prices increased by 88% in 2022, compared to
2021 (they averaged at 180 cents/gallon over the same period in 2021).
Compared to 2019, air ticket prices in Europe (EU27)
started to increase since May 2022. July 2022
recorded circa 15% increase on July 2019.
Since August, ticket prices have been on average 10%
above 2019 prices.
Air ticket prices here are deflated (we removed the effects of inflation).
© EUROCONTROL - December 2022
T hi s document is published by EUROCONT ROL for information purposes. It may be copi ed
in whol e or in part, provided that EUROCONTROL is mentioned as the source and it is not
used for commerci al purposes (i.e. for fi na ncial gai n). The information in thi s document may
not be modified without prior written permission from EUROCONT ROL.
www.eurocontrol.int
To further assist you in your analysis, EUROCONTROL provides the
following additional information on a daily basis (
daily updates at 7:30
CET for the first item and 12:00 CET for the second
) and every Friday
for the last item:
1. EUROCONTROL Daily Traffic Variation dashboard:
www.eurocontrol.int/Economics/DailyTrafficVariation
(or via the COVID-19 button on the top
of our homepage www.eurocontrol.int
)
• This dashboard provides traffic for Day+1 for all European States; for the largest airports;
for each Area Control Centre (ACC) and for the largest airline operators.
2. COVID Related-NOTAMS with Network Impact (i.e. summary of airspace restrictions):
https://www.public.nm.eurocontrol.int/PUBPORTAL/gateway/spec/index.html
• The Network Operations Portal (NOP) under “Latest News” is updated daily with a
summary table of the most significant COVID-19 NOTAMs applicable at 12.00 UTC.
3. NOP Recovery Plan.
https://www.public.nm.eurocontrol.int/PUBPORTAL/gateway/spec/index.html
• This report, updated every Friday, is a special version of the Network operation Plan
supporting aviation response to the COVID-19 Crisis. It is developed in cooperation with
the operational stakeholders ensuring a rolling outlook.
For more information please contact aviation.intelligence@eurocontrol.int
