In 2025, Ryanair Group continued its dominance as Europe's top airline group by passenger numbers, marking its seventh consecutive year at the top of the ranking. The Irish carrier transported over 206 million passengers, significantly increasing its lead over Lufthansa Group, which carried 135 million passengers. The gap between the two was greater than the total annual traffic of many other major groups.
This notable performance was accompanied by gains among other low-cost carriers, with Europe's top 20 airline groups collectively increasing passenger numbers by 4.2% over the previous year and surpassing 2019 levels by 8%. The group of low-cost carriers (LCCs) registered even stronger growth, carrying 26% more passengers than in 2019.
Industry Trends and Membership Benefits
The report underscores the resilience and growth of European airline groups despite market challenges. Membership with CAPA grants access to exclusive analysis, real-time industry data, and tools to better understand these trends and identify new opportunities in the dynamic aviation landscape.
This comprehensive report offers insights into the priorities and strategies shaping Europe's aviation industry in 2025, highlighting the persistent leadership of Ryanair and the evolving competitive landscape among major groups.
