EUROCONTROL expects 37,011 daily flights in Europe between 24 and 30 August 2026, 3.5% more than a year ago, and expects traffic to remain above 36,000 flights per day until mid-September. The gradual reduction is not expected to start until October.
The air traffic control centres in France (Bordeaux, Brest, Marseille and Reims), Spain (Barcelona, Madrid and Seville) and Greece (Athens and Makedonia) concentrate the greatest pressure and require the opening of additional sectors. The Marseille centre alone is expected to manage up to 4,550 flights per day during busy periods, with flow management measures between 24 August and 4 October.
On the airport side, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona-El Prat, Malaga, Athens, Heraklion and Thessaloniki-Makedonia are expected to register high passenger traffic until October. Athens also reduces runway capacity from September 21, due to maintenance work.
In October, the average is expected to be 34,986 daily flights, 4.2% above 2025, falling to 33,968 in the middle of the month, still 2.7% above the previous year. Capacity constraints will continue to be stronger on Fridays and weekends, requiring greater operational flexibility.
