Bratislava Airport handles record 3.7 million passengers in first nine months of 2026
Bratislava M. R. Štefánik Airport handled a record 3,693,231 passengers in the first nine months of 2026, representing a 99% increase year-on-year. The figure marks the highest passenger traffic ever recorded at the airport during the January–September period, with passenger numbers already significantly exceeding the previous full-year record set in 2025.
“For the ninth consecutive month, we have set a new all-time passenger record for the respective month. September was no exception, with almost half a million passengers passing through our airport – the highest September traffic in our 75-year history,” said Dušan Novota, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Bratislava Airport.
September passenger traffic up 89%
Bratislava Airport welcomed 498,957 passengers in September 2026, an increase of 89% compared with the same month last year, when passenger traffic exceeded 263,000.
The airport recorded 4,492 aircraft movements during September, up 49% year-on-year. Air cargo volumes also continued to grow, reaching 2,313 tonnes, a 29% increase compared with September 2025.
The five most popular destinations in September were Antalya, Barcelona, Rome, London and Košice.
Strong growth across passenger, aircraft and cargo operations
The airport's record passenger growth was accompanied by increases in both aircraft movements and cargo throughput.
Between January and September 2026, Bratislava Airport recorded 32,722 aircraft movements, representing a 43% year-on-year increase. Air cargo throughput reached 16,335 tonnes, up 17% compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Barcelona, London, Antalya, Košice and Rome were the airport's five busiest destinations during the first nine months of the year.
Bratislava Airport continues to experience its strongest year on record in terms of passenger traffic. With almost 3.7 million passengers handled by the end of September, the airport has already surpassed its previous annual record of 2.4 million passengers, achieved in 2025.
Bratislava Airport – September 2026 traffic figures
|
Indicator |
September 2026 |
YoY change |
|
Passengers |
498,957 |
+89% |
|
Aircraft movements |
4,492 |
+49% |
|
Air cargo |
2,313 tonnes |
+29% |
Top five destinations: Antalya, Barcelona, Rome, London, Košice
Bratislava Airport – January to September 2026 traffic figures
|
Indicator |
Jan–Sep 2026 |
YoY change |
|
Passengers |
3,693,231 |
+99% |
|
Aircraft movements |
32,722 |
+43% |
|
Air cargo |
16,335 tonnes |
+17% |
Top five destinations: Barcelona, London, Antalya, Košice, Rome
All percentage changes are calculated year-on-year against the corresponding period in 2025.