Traffic increased by 10.1% compared to 2016. International flights also reached a record high with 391,000 monthly passengers, an increase of 13.6%. Low-cost traffic greatly contributed to this success, posting an increase of 17%. Domestic flights recorded substantial growth of 5.5%.
International traffic showed an increase of 13.6% to 391,000 passengers, reaching the highest number of international passengers for the year.
“Sunny” destinations were in high demand among July holiday-makers, with the Iberian Peninsula proving particularly popular. Spain and Portugal recorded the strongest growth, with a 23% increase in traffic and 79,900 passengers. These destinations, some of which have been reinforced this season, are on the rise. Palma de Mallorca (+64.8%), Porto (+38.8%), Madrid (+36.9%), Barcelona (+32%), and Lisbon (+13.3%). Italian cities also followed this trend with an increase of 11% to nearly 34,000 passengers. Pisa (+55.5%), Bologna (45.3%), Naples (35.2%), Venice (+15.3%) and the islands of Sardinia (Olbia +21%) and Sicily (Palermo +18%) demonstrated Italy’s popularity. Greece also posted good results. Athens (Aegean) ended the month at +39.3% and Corfu (Volotea) recorded a 29% increase in traffic.
Destinations in Northern and Eastern Europe have also been dynamic this summer. The British Isles accounted for 96,000 monthly passengers (+2%). Southampton, served by Flybe, tripled its traffic compared to last year. Cork and Dublin recorded increases of 14.6% and 7.5% respectively. The new Eastern Europe destinations were off to a very good start: Hamburg (easyJet) recorded over 4,000 monthly passengers, Frankfurt (Lufthansa) 2,500 passengers, and Bucharest (Blue Air) 2,100 passengers. A good sign for the upcoming launch of the route to Budapest with Wizz Air in September.
The Air France/KLM group achieved very good results. After a record-breaking month in June, with 245,000 passengers carried, it continued to grow, with a traffic increase of 1.5% in July, boosted by the launch of new routes during the month to Copenhagen and Frankfurt.
National traffic increased by 5.5% to 275,000 passengers. Corsica remained a popular destination, recording a considerable increase: +38.3% for Ajaccio (served by 3 airlines, HOP!, Volotea and, more recently, Air Corsica), +19.5% for Bastia, and +7.8% for Figari. The Mediterranean coast also experienced strong growth, such as Montpellier with Chalair (+48.5%), Nice and Marseille served by Hop! and easyJet (+25.6% and +18.9%) and Toulon with Volotea (+28.9%). The dense domestic network of Hop! Air France also remained very buoyant. In addition to the results for Nice and Marseilles, Lyon achieved good results (+5%) and even services to Paris recorded 400 more passengers than in 2016.
Low cost flights continued to progress, representing nearly half of the overall traffic in July, with 357,000 passengers and growth of 17.1%. easyJet, the airport’s top low cost airline, also broke a record by carrying 190,000 passengers (+8%). Volotea and Ryanair recorded very significant growth of +24% and +38.1% respectively.
