Passenger Traffic at Bratislava Airport Doubles in October 2026
Ten months, ten historic records. Bratislava Airport has continued to break passenger traffic records every month since the beginning of 2026. Each of the first ten months of the year has recorded the highest passenger volume for that particular month in the airport’s 75-year history. October was no exception, with the airport welcoming a record 389,568 passengers, representing a remarkable 100% increase compared to October 2025.
“During October, we surpassed the historic milestone of four million passengers for the first time ever. In the first ten months of 2026 alone, we handled 4,082,799 passengers – almost double the number recorded during the same period last year. This represents an extraordinary year-on-year increase of 99%, a growth rate rarely seen among European airports, where passenger traffic is growing at an average annual rate of approximately 4%,” said Dušan Novota, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Bratislava Airport.
The airport’s exceptional traffic growth has been driven primarily by the opening of a Wizz Air base in Bratislava, accompanied by the launch of more than 30 new routes. Over the first ten months of 2026, Wizz Air became Bratislava Airport’s largest airline in terms of passenger numbers.
The five most popular destinations between January and October 2026 were Barcelona, London, Košice, Antalya and Rome, based on total departing and arriving passenger traffic. In October alone, Warsaw joined Barcelona, London, Košice and Rome among the airport’s five busiest destinations.
Aircraft movements also recorded strong growth. In October, Bratislava Airport handled 3,757 aircraft movements, an increase of 67% compared to October 2025. From January to October, the airport recorded a total of 36,479 take-offs and landings, representing a 45% year-on-year increase.
Air cargo traffic also performed strongly. In October, cargo volumes increased by more than half compared to the same month last year, reaching 2,694 tonnes (+52%). During the first ten months of 2026, the airport handled a total of 19,029 tonnes of air cargo, up 22% year-on-year.
Bratislava Airport – October 2026 Traffic Statistics
- Passengers: 389,568 (+100%)
- Aircraft movements: 3,757 (+67%)
- Air cargo: 2,694 tonnes (+52%)
- Top 5 destinations: Barcelona, London, Košice, Rome, Warsaw
Bratislava Airport – January–October 2026 Traffic Statistics
- Passengers: 4,082,799 (+99%)
- Aircraft movements: 36,479 (+45%)
- Air cargo: 19,029 tonnes (+22%)
- Top 5 destinations: Barcelona, London, Košice, Antalya, Rome
All percentage changes are calculated year-on-year against the corresponding period in 2025.