Over the past 30 years, European low-cost airlines have taken over short and medium-haul routes in airports across the continent, offering flights that can cost half of what you would pay for an equivalent train ticket, according to Cirium.
According to data from the consultancy firm, the largest low-cost airline hubs in Europe are located at Istanbul's Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW), home to the Turkish low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines.
From May 2022 to May 2023, Pegasus transported 12,925,040 passengers to and from SAW, a 9% increase compared to the previous 12 months. Meanwhile, London Stansted Airport (STN) comes in second on the list, hosting the Irish low-cost airline, Ryanair, as its hub.
From May 2022 to May 2023, the low-cost airline transported 11,684,800 passengers to and from STN, a 34% increase compared to the previous year.
In third place is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), where Vueling, the Spanish low-cost airline owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), has its hub.
From May 2022 to May 2023, the airline transported 11,521,240 passengers to and from BCN, representing a 31% increase compared to the previous year.
In fourth position is London Gatwick Airport (LGW), home to the UK's low-cost airline, easyJet.
Between May 2022 and May 2023, the airline transported 10,788,940 passengers to and from LGW, a 74% increase. easyJet increased its capacity at London Gatwick Airport following the exit of Scandinavian low-cost airline Norwegian.
In fifth place is Dublin Airport (DUB), where Ryanair has its hub. Between May 2022 and May 2023, the company transported 8,521,880 passengers to and from DUB.
Next, in sixth position, is Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), where Ryanair is the largest airline in Italy, with aircraft and crew stationed at 13 airports across the country. Between May 2022 and May 2023, they transported 6,980,561 passengers to and from the northern Italian city, a 19% increase from the previous year.
In seventh place is Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL), home to Norwegian, the second-largest airline in Scandinavia. Between May 2022 and May 2023, the company transported 6,314,856 passengers to and from the capital of Norway, a 39% increase from the previous year.
In eighth place is Paris Orly Airport (ORY), where Transavia, a subsidiary of Air France-KLM, has its main operating base. Between May 2022 and May 2023, they transported 5,882,927 passengers, a 57% increase from the previous year, according to information from Cirium and Simpleflying.
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