Top 5: Europe's Busiest Domestic Air Routes
Trains are taking over from airplanes on numerous domestic European journeys.
In this blog post, we will explore the top five most crowded air routes within Europe's borders and observe the gradual shift towards high-speed trains as a substitute. However, it is essential to note that domestic flights connecting mainland and island destinations will always hold their ground against the advent of rail transportation.
Ever since the concept of feeling guilty about flying, known as flygskam in Sweden, came into the spotlight in 2018, there has been a growing trend in Europe to encourage tourists to explore alternative, less environmentally damaging modes of transportation. This movement has led several European countries to contemplate the idea of prohibiting short-distance domestic flights.
Starting from May 23, 2023, there is a fresh regulation in France proclaiming that any flights covering distances less than two and a half hours by train would be prohibited. Consequently, flights between Paris and regional centers like Bordeaux, Nantes, and Lyon will be prohibited under this law. It should be noted, however, that the law does not extend to flights connecting Paris with the French Riviera.
Austria also prohibited air travel when its own national airline, Austrian Airlines, sought monetary aid amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The authorities stipulated that they would extend assistance to the airline under the condition that it forbids domestic flights that can be conveniently traversed by rail within three hours. Furthermore, the government implemented a €30 tax on flights spanning less than 218 miles. As a result, all flights connecting Vienna and Salzburg have come to an abrupt halt, with only a few minutes of leeway, while flights between Vienna and Graz remain unaffected by the ban.
There have been ongoing grievances regarding individuals traveling between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (AMS). Due to the scarce number of flights departing from Brussels, Schiphol has consistently been the preferred airport for numerous Belgians. The issue was that since both cities were situated in close proximity, the flight duration between them was less than an hour.
In order to tackle this issue and get ready for a potential restriction on flights between BRU and AMS, the main airline of the Netherlands, KLM, initiated a partnership with Thalys, which permits KLM passengers to do their check-in at Brussels-Midi/Zuid railway station for flights that depart from Schiphol Airport.
Governments are often concerned about the significant disparity between air travel and rail travel costs in Europe. With the upcoming establishment of more high-speed rail routes, there will likely be increased emphasis on encouraging individuals to choose trains over planes.
As of now, there is no data specific to the year 2021 regarding the busiest air routes in Europe. However, based on available information, the top five busiest air routes can be found in Spain, Italy, and Norway.
Madrid-Barajas Airport To Palma De Mallorca Airport
Situated in the Western Mediterranean Sea along the eastern shoreline of Spain, the travel route from Madrid to Palma witnessed a staggering number of 1,140,759 travelers in the year 2021, solidifying its position as the most heavily frequented domestic route within Europe.
Direct Flight: Rome FCO - Catania CTA
The path connecting the major city of Italy with the runner-up city on the island of Sicily is the second most frequented domestic air journey in Europe, accommodating a total of 1,060,641 travelers throughout 2021.
Top 3 Spanish Airports: MAD & BCN
Prior to the inception of the rapid train connection between Madrid and Barcelona in 2008, the air route from MAD to BCN, famously known as the "Puente Aéreo" or Air Bridge, held the title of being the busiest domestic route in Europe. However, in 2021, the number of individuals traversing between these two cities by air plummeted to 1,013,020 passengers. Recently, a fresh wave of budget-friendly railway companies have commenced their services catering to both cities.
Since traveling by train is faster than going from one city center to another by plane, it is likely that passenger numbers will continue to decrease.
OSL To TRD: Flying From Oslo To Trondheim
This blog post discusses the most frequented domestic air route in Norway, which connects the cities of Oslo, located on the southern coast, and Trondheim, situated 310 miles to the north. It is important to note that this route holds the rank of being the fourth busiest in all of Europe. Last year, specifically in 2021, a total of 1,005,775 passengers embarked on this journey between these two vibrant Norwegian cities.
Flight From Oslo To Bergen - Quick Travel Options
In an unexpected turn of events, the Oslo-Bergen route, despite being the second-largest city in Norway and a seven-hour drive away, has surprisingly become the country's second most frequented domestic air route, ranking fifth in terms of activity across Europe. A total of 991,026 travelers ventured between these two cities in 2021.
