Air traffic across Europe hit a record high this summer, according to Eurocontrol, the European organization responsible for managing and ensuring the safety of air navigation. On Friday, September 11, Eurocontrol reported an average of 35,959 controlled flights per day, marking a 2.4% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth highlights a resurgence in air travel across the continent, with some countries experiencing more significant jumps in traffic than others. The increase in air traffic was most notable in Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, and Greece, where more flights were recorded compared to the previous year. Conversely, countries like Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Turkey saw a decline in air traffic. Eurocontrol also pointed out a "continuous growth in the Southwest of Europe," suggesting a regional trend of increasing travel activity. This surge in flights reflects a growing preference among European tourists for destinations within their own continent, which many have viewed as safer compared to international travel. Greece, in particular, saw record attendance at its airports, which are now operating near their capacity limits, especially during the busy summer season. The increased number of flights has placed significant pressure on Greece’s air traffic control systems, which are working to manage the higher volume without compromising safety or efficiency. Despite the overall improvement in air traffic performance, France remained the largest contributor to flight delays caused by air traffic control failures, accounting for 32% of such incidents. However, compared to the problematic year of 2025, there has been notable progress. Flight delays across Europe during the first eight months of this year were 29% lower than they were in the same period last year, indicating improvements in air traffic management and operational efficiency across the continent.