FAB CE traffic recovery continues as low-fare airlines boost services

Traffic through FAB CE airspace continues its strong recovery though with marked differences in national markets.

Recent traffic assessments, based on data supplied by the Network Manager supported by FAB CE data analysis, forecasts that by the end of July 2022 traffic levels will be just five per cent lower than in 2019.

“Two of the main drivers of this growth are the strong performance of low cost carriers operating in our region and the diversion of overflights from Ukraine, which have increased flight numbers in some of our member states,” said Matej Eljon, FAB CE Programme Manager and Director of FAB CE Aviation Ltd. At the start of May 2022 Wizzair was recording flight numbers 21% higher than in 2019 while Ryanair flights were up 13% over pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian conflict is also impacting traffic flows throughout Central Europe. According to the Network Manager:

“The invasion of Ukraine is having a limited impact at European level but the re-routings to avoid closed airspaces are affecting the number of overflights in various countries, notably Lithuania, Poland, Estonia and Latvia (fewer overflights); Armenia, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina (more overflights).

“For some FAB CE air navigation service providers, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the recovery is progressing at a slower pace, with flight numbers still around 20% lower than pre-pandemic levels,” said Matej Eljon. “Overall, we are predicting traffic levels for FAB CE States to recover to 90% of 2019 levels by the start of the peak summer season.”