Europe experienced record air traffic during the summer season between June and August, with significant increases recorded across the Balkan countries, according to data released today by Eurocontrol.

During this year’s tourist season, the impact of the war in the Middle East was felt unevenly across countries, with some emerging as clear winners.

“This can be attributed to a decline in air traffic in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Turkey, but a strong increase in Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia,” the organisation said.

Eurocontrol also highlighted a “continued increase in southwestern Europe.”

The data confirm the enthusiasm among European tourists this summer for destinations within the continent, which are perceived as safer.

Greece provided a clear example of this trend, recording record passenger numbers at its airports, pushing its air traffic control capacity to its limits, particularly during the peak travel season.

As for delays caused by air traffic control capacity shortages, France remained the worst performer, accounting for 32% of such delays on its own. However, compared with a disastrous 2025, performance improved, with flight delays during the first eight months of the year falling by 29% year on year.