Passenger numbers decline slightly in Q3 2026

Vinci Airports recorded 93.5 million passengers in the third quarter of 2026, a 0.6% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. For the first nine months of the year, the network's passenger traffic reached 252.5 million, showing a minor decline of 0.2%.

Summer 2025 saw strong growth

The slowdown in 2026 follows a dynamic summer in 2025, when Vinci Airports recorded 94 million passengers in the third quarter, a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. This growth was supported by high traffic in Mediterranean destinations and increased connections between China and Japan.

Factors influencing 2026 performance

To explain the 2026 results, the operator highlights geopolitical disturbances in Asia and high jet fuel prices. These factors were largely offset by strong performance in other regions. "This overall performance reflects the good geographic diversification of the network and its resilience to economic shocks," states Vinci Airports in its press release.

Budapest and Belgrade drive growth

Budapest is among the main drivers of the quarter, with traffic increasing by 12%, driven by the strengthening of Wizz Air and Ryanair programs to southern Europe. In Belgrade, connections with Western Europe support activity and reinforce the role of the Serbian airport as a regional transfer hub.

Portugal and Cape Verde see traffic increases

In Portugal, Porto and Faro show respective increases of 7.1% and 3.7%. These results continue the good trend already observed during the summer of 2025 on the main Portuguese platforms in the network. In Cape Verde, the development of European connections also fuels the increase in traffic, with new routes operated by easyJet and TAP.

London-Gatwick sees modest decline

At London-Gatwick, traffic remains declining, but the decline is mitigated at -2.9% for the third quarter. The airport is affected by the reorganization of medium-haul offerings of low-cost carriers. Good summer results, particularly on Spain, and the establishment of Jet2 compensate for part of this contraction.

Asia and Latin America show contrasting trends

In Japan, the network's airports record an 8.8% drop in traffic, attributed to tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, which weigh on air traffic between the two countries. In Latin America, the evolutions remain contrasting, with growth in Mexico and Brazil, but a contraction in Santiago, Chile, due to unfavorable fuel prices and adjustments to flight programs.

Growth is redistributed across regions

At the end of this summer, the Vinci Airports network presents less of a uniform slowdown than a redistribution of its growth drivers: European leisure destinations and several Latin American markets largely, but not entirely, compensate for the difficulties encountered in Asia and certain major platforms.