Europe experienced a record-breaking summer for air traffic in 2026, according to Eurocontrol, the organization responsible for managing air traffic across the continent. From June 1 to August 31, an average of 35,959 flights operated each day, marking a 2.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025. The highest daily peak was recorded on July 10, when 37,640 flights took place. This growth occurred despite disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which affected traffic distribution across Europe. The data showed that some countries experienced a decline in air traffic, including Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Türkiye, likely due to the conflict's impact on travel patterns and regional stability. In contrast, several countries in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean saw significant increases in traffic. Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia all reported higher flight numbers. Additionally, air traffic in south-west Europe continued to grow steadily throughout the summer. Despite the overall increase in flights, punctuality improved slightly, with 72.6 per cent of flights arriving on time, a 1.2 per cent increase compared to the previous summer. However, certain major European cities faced challenges with delays. Marseille, Athens, and Barcelona experienced the most frequent flight delays, attributed to capacity and staffing limitations during the busy season. Eurocontrol predicts that high traffic levels will continue into September, with more than 37,000 flights expected on Fridays, before gradually declining from October onward. In the UK, air travel also set a new record. Between April and June, over 81 million passengers traveled through UK airports, surpassing the previous year’s numbers. This represents an increase of around 120,000 passengers compared to the same period in 2025. Ross Lydall, a spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), noted that demand for air travel remains strong, with passengers adapting their plans around global events. He emphasized the resilience of the aviation sector, highlighting its ability to maintain high performance despite ongoing challenges.