Leading airlines in Europe based on flight traffic 2024

Europe's airline industry continued to evolve, with Ryanair securing its position as the continent's leading carrier based on flight traffic. The Irish low-cost airline operated an impressive 95,892 flights in 2024, far outpacing its closest competitors. This dominance reflected the ongoing shift in European air travel preferences and the growing influence of budget carriers in the market.

Market dynamics and passenger demand

 In 2023, global aviation passenger demand increased by over 36 percent compared to the previous year, with forecasts projecting a further 12 percent growth in 2024. This upward trajectory has been particularly beneficial for low-cost carriers, which held a 33 percent market share in European air traffic in 2023. 

Industry landscape and future outlook

While Ryanair leads in flight numbers, the European airline industry remained diverse and competitive. Mainline operators still maintain the largest market share at 35 percent, operating 9,787 flights in 2023 compared to low-cost airlines' 9,154. The global airline industry's market size reached 762.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, marking a five percent increase from the previous year. This growth demonstrated a resilient recovery from the pandemic's impact and indicated potential for further expansion in the global aviation market.