EU Flight Numbers Keep Growing Even With Jet Fuel 71% Above Pre-Crisis Levels

EU commercial flight activity continued to grow through the summer despite expensive fuel, with more than two million flights operated between June and August. June saw 662,480 flights (up 2.1% year on year), July 709,931 (up 2.8%) and August 708,980 (up 2.3% on August 2025 and 5.7% on August 2024). In August, 19 EU countries recorded growth and eight saw declines. Slovakia rose 37%, with Malta up 12.4% and Estonia 8.3%, while Austria fell 4.7%, Cyprus 3% and Germany 2.4%. Spain added about 9,600 flights and Italy about 8,100. The European average jet fuel price in August was $3.86 a gallon, 71% above the level before the Middle East crisis. IATA forecasts combined European airline net profit falling from $13 billion in 2025 to $9.6 billion in 2026, with European carriers having hedged roughly 70% of their fuel needs.