EU commercial flights rise this summer despite pricier jet fuel
More than two million commercial flights were operated across the EU between June and August, with numbers surpassing last year's figures even as Middle East hostilities pushed up aviation fuel prices.
The number of commercial flights in the European Union grew every summer month compared with the previous year, even as fighting in the Middle East drove up aviation fuel prices, Euronews reported, citing European Pravda.
According to Eurostat, more than two million commercial flights took place in the EU between June and August 2026. In August, 708,980 flights were recorded — up 2.3% from August 2025 and 5.7% from August 2024. July saw slightly more flights, 709,931, while June recorded 662,480. All three months outperformed the same periods a year earlier, with annual growth of 2.1% in June and 2.8% in July.
Uneven performance across member states
Not every EU country recorded growth in August: flight numbers rose in 19 member states but fell in eight. Slovakia posted the largest annual increase at 37%, followed by Malta (12.4%) and Estonia (8.3%). In absolute terms, Spain added the most flights, up 9,600 from August 2025, followed by Italy with 8,128 more. Slovakia's 37% rise amounted to 1,325 additional flights. The steepest decline was in Austria, down 4.7%, followed by Cyprus (3%) and Germany (2.4%).
A tough financial year for airlines
The growth comes during a financially difficult year for airlines. EUROCONTROL, the pan-European air traffic management organization, reported that European jet fuel prices rose again in August after falling in spring. In its June forecast, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projected that European airlines' combined net profit would fall from an estimated $13 billion in 2025 to $9.6 billion in 2026, citing fuel costs as a significant pressure factor.
Adding to the uncertainty, US President Donald Trump has considered restricting diesel fuel exports amid record domestic prices, a move producers warn could cause chaos in fuel markets. EU officials cautioned that a possible 90-day US export ban could significantly affect European markets and harm both sides. Media reports later suggested the White House had assured that the Trump administration does not plan to ban diesel fuel exports from the United States.
