Post-Pandemic Travel Surge: UK Airports Hit Highest Traffic Levels in Third Quarter of 2024

It’s finally good news for the UK Aviation stakeholders, as the country’s aviation industry marks a significant milestone in its recovery post-pandemic. In the third quarter of 2024, there were 282,775 flights departing from UK airports. This equates to over 51.24 million seats, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers in 2019.  

UK Airports Recovery Post-Pandemic 

The aviation industry suffered significant setbacks during the pandemic, with global lockdowns bringing air traffic to a near halt. Four years later, the sector is returning rapidly to its former glory. With borders opening and demand for travel increasing, airlines and airports are seeing record-breaking air travel as people take to the sky in numbers not seen even before the pandemic. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm based in the UK, in Q1 of the year, there were 208,546 flights operated, rising to 264,158 in Q2. The figures showcase the highest traffic levels post-pandemic were in Q3 of this year. So, how is the UK aviation industry able to fulfil these numbers?

To meet the rising customer demand and to transport more passengers, airlines have introduced larger aircraft to their fleet and increased seat density. For example, British Airways added six Boeing 787-10s to its fleet in summer 2023. Meanwhile, in May 2023, Ryanair reportedly bought 300 BOEING 737-MAX-10 to meet customer demand and offer cheap travel around Europe. 

Popular Routes in Q3 

Cirium further reported that the most popular destination from the UK was Dubai, with 10,508 flights and 1.5 million seats. Amsterdam was the second most popular with 9,701 flights, while Mallorca, Alicante and Malaga completed the top five destinations. But who operated the most flights this quarter? With 57,527 flights, easyJet operated the most flights in Q3 followed by British Airways and Ryanair with 46,296 flights and 41,099 flights respectively. 

There is no surprise that the Heathrow to JFK route is the most popular with 2,019 flights in total, equating to over half a million seats. The route’s popularity is compounded by the socio-economic and cultural status of the destination, as well as the strong partnership British Airways, the country’s national carrier, has with North America. In 2025, it plans to offer more direct flights across the Atlantic than any other European carrier.  

Traffic is projected to grow to 236,002 flights in Q4 due to the holiday season approaching.

Where will you be flying this holiday season? Tell us in the comments below!