HEALTHY 2018 TRAFFIC GROWTH AT FRANKFURT, EDINBURGH AND LONDON LUTON

A number of European airports hit all-time traffic highs in 2018, some of the biggest upturns in traffic reported to date happening at Frankfurt (7.8%), Edinburgh (+6.5%) and London Luton (+5%).

Frankfurt Airport welcomed a 69.5 million passengers (+7.8%) in 2018 – five million more than 2017.

Operator, Fraport, attributes the impressive rise to the airport’s expanding route network and airlines increasing flight frequencies.

Commenting on the 2018 traffic figures, Fraport AG's executive board chairman Stefan Schulte said: “In Frankfurt, we have achieved the highest absolute passenger growth in  our history. This underscores Frankfurt Airport's position as one of Europe's leading aviation hubs. 

"At the same time, the extraordinary  growth in air traffic overall has caused major challenges for us and  the entire aviation sector. Together with our partners, we are taking efforts to restore and enhance punctuality and reliability in air traffic."

A total of 16.6 million passengers (+5%) passed through London Luton Airport (LLA) in 2018 making it a record breaking year for the UK gateway.

Alberto Martin, CEO of LLA, said: “2018 was a landmark year for LLA as we welcomed more passengers than ever before, celebrated our 80th anniversary, and opened our newly-upgraded terminal. 

“As we enter the New Year, we will work hard to ensure that the benefits of our transformation are felt by our passengers, staff and the local community in the years ahead.”

Elsewhere in the UK, Edinburgh Airport recorded the busiest ever year for a Scottish airport with more than 14 million people (+6.5%) passing through in 2018.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We’re delighted to deliver yet another record year for a Scottish airport which highlights the incredible appetite there is for travel to and from Scotland.”