Industry Statistics and Trends
Airports in Europe key trends
European airport passenger numbers surpass pre-pandemic levels.
Strong travel appetite drives airport traffic and fuels revenue growth. However, while major hubs are thriving, smaller airports are still lagging.
European airports accelerate expansion to meet surging demand.
Major investment projects are underway to boost capacity, modernise infrastructure and address congestion, ensuring hubs stay competitive as fleets and passenger numbers climb.
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Airports in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Airports in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 5.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €74.3bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Air passenger numbers rebound to surpass pre-pandemic levels, lifting revenue growth
- Air passenger traffic is a key determinant of revenue for airports, fuelling aeronautical and non-aeronautical services revenue. The industry faced severe turbulence in 2020 and 2021 as strict COVID-19 restrictions led to a plunge in revenue and profit. According to the European Commission, EU passenger numbers collapsed by 73% in 2020, while the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority revealed a 75% drop in passenger numbers at UK airports in 2020. Many airports had to seek government subsidies.
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Airports in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Sustainable airport operations will follow green initiatives across Europe
- Sustainability remains a focal point, with airports pressured by ESG and decarbonisation targets and schemes, including the EU’s Fit for 55 and net-zero goals by 2050. Airports across Europe will accelerate investment in sustainable infrastructure, including solar panels, electrification of vehicle fleets, green buildings and Sustainable Aviation Fuels facilities.
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Revenue
€74.3bn
Employees
524k
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Airports in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Groupe ADP | 4,925.1 | 982.4 | 19.9 | |
Aena SME, SA | 4,451.8 | 1,955.6 | 43.9 | |
Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd | 3,498.4 | 218.4 | 6.2 |
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Airports in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Airports industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Airports industry in Europe is €74.3bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Airports industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 9,361 businesses in the Airports industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Airports industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Airports industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 5.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Airports industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Airports industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Airports industry in Europe include?
Aeronautical services and Non-aeronautical services are part of the Airports industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Airports industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Airports industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Airports industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Airports industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Airport Operation in Austria
- Airport Operation in France
- Airport Operation in the Netherlands
- Airport Operation in Belgium
- Airport Operation in Italy
- Airport Operation in Lithuania
- Airport Operation in Sweden
- Airport Operation in Cyprus
- Airport Operation in Latvia
- Airport Operation in Luxembourg
- Airport Operation in Russia
- Airport Operation in Poland
- Airport Operation in Slovakia
- Airport Operation in Finland
- Airport Operation in Croatia
- Airport Operation in Slovenia
- Airport Operation in Bulgaria
- Airport Operation in Greece
- Airport Operation in Romania
- Airport Operation in Hungary
- Airport Operation in Denmark
- Airport Operation in Norway
- Airport Operation in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Airport Operation in Malta
- Airport Operation in Spain
- Airport Operation in Portugal
- Airport Operation in Czechia
- Airport Operation in Turkey
- Airport Operation in Ireland
- Airport Operation in Serbia
- Airport Operation in Estonia
- Airport Operation in Iceland
- Airports in Europe
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry includes businesses operating facilities related to air transportation. This includes the operation of airports and air traffic control activities, airway terminals and non-aeronautical services like ground service activities.
Related Terms
LOW-COST CARRIER AERONAUTICAL INCOMENON-AERONAUTICAL INCOMEWhat's included in this industry?
Aeronautical servicesNon-aeronautical servicesAir traffic control servicesOther airport support servicesCompanies
Groupe ADPAena SME, SAHeathrow Airport Holdings LtdIndustry Code
5223 - Service activities incidental to air transportation in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Air passenger numbers rebound to surpass pre-pandemic levels, lifting revenue growth
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Airports in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Airports in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Airports in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Airports in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Airports in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Airports in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Airports in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Airports in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Non-aeronautical services revenue compensates for fluctuating performance. Non-aeronautical services, like retail and commercial activities, are vital revenue streams for European airports, ensuring sustainability amid fluctuations in aeronautical services.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Airports in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Airports in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Airports in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
The European airport industry reflects high concentration levels. The European airport industry exhibits high concentration levels, with a few major players dominating the market and influencing industry dynamics.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 9 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Groupe ADP
- Countries of operation for Aena SME, SA
- Countries of operation for Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd
- Countries of operation for Fraport AG
- Countries of operation for AviAlliance GmbH
- Countries of operation for TAV Airports Holding
- Countries of operation for Flughafen Zürich AG
- Countries of operation for Aeroporti di Roma SpA
- Countries of operation for Budapest Airport Zrt
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
The European airport industry navigates a complex regulatory environment. European airports grapple with the challenges of stringent regulations and policies, influencing operations, infrastructure development and overall industry dynamics.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Airports in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Profit rebounds after COVID-19 but faces new headwinds. Although revenue and profit have recovered strongly since the collapse in 2020, profit growth has been limited by severe inflationary pressures and higher operating costs, with airports investing in technology and sustainability.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Airports in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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