Germany Leads Slovenia and More in Driving Fraport Travel Growth with 21.1 Million September Passengers

Germany is in the lead in volume as Slovenia and others boost Fraport traffic to 21.1 million in September. The global airport group handled approximately 21.1 million passengers in its airports in September 2026, registering a rise of 2.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Frankfurt Airport in Germany received 6.1 million travellers, while Slovenia, Peru and Bulgaria had some of the quickest increases. Greece and Brazil were also up, but Türkiye’s Antalya Airport went the opposite direction. The numbers show a mixed bag of travel demand in Europe and South America, but with an overall improvement in traffic.

Germany Drives Passenger Volumes as Frankfurt Welcomes 6.1 Million

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) handled approximately 6.1 million passengers in September, up 1.6% year on year. Traditional leisure destinations remained popular, supported by summer school holidays continuing in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

From January to September, Frankfurt served around 47.5 million passengers, down 0.2% year on year.

Industrial action and geopolitical tensions weighed on operations. Lufthansa strikes affected nearly 700,000 passengers during the nine-month period. Without those strike-related disruptions, Fraport estimated that traffic would have risen by approximately 1.3%.

Aircraft movements fell 3.5% in September to 40,539 take-offs and landings. This reduction contrasted with the airport’s modest increase in passenger numbers. A 25.2% reduction in domestic German flights contributed to the decline, including suspended links between Frankfurt and Bremen and Stuttgart. Accumulated maximum take-off weights also slipped 1.2% to around 2.5 million metric tonnes.

Slovenia Records the Sharpest Passenger Growth

Slovenia emerged as the strongest percentage-growth market among the airport locations detailed in the report. Ljubljana Airport (LJU) welcomed 205,495 passengers during September, representing a remarkable 16.6% year-on-year increase.

Although Ljubljana handled far fewer passengers than Frankfurt, its double-digit expansion stood out across Fraport international portfolio.

The performance demonstrates the difference between airport size and growth momentum. While Germany contributed a larger passenger volume, Slovenia achieved the highest percentage increase among the reported airports.

Greece Maintains Strong Demand Across 14 Regional Airports

Greece provided one of the largest passenger contributions outside Germany. Fraport Greece’s 14 regional airports handled approximately 5.7 million passengers in September 2026, an increase of 4.2% over September 2025.

The result followed another positive month in August. The Greek airports welcomed around 7.1 million passengers, representing 5.1% annual growth.

Both months demonstrated sustained demand across Greece’s regional airport network during the summer travel season.

The results highlight the continued importance of regional airports in supporting the country’s tourism industry. However, passenger growth does not necessarily indicate cheaper airfares or additional flight services.

Bulgaria’s Coastal Airports Post an 8.6% Increase

Bulgaria registered another notable gain. Burgas Airport (BOJ) and Varna Airport (VAR), the two coastal airports in Fraport network, served a combined 554,292 passengers during September.

That represented an 8.6% increase compared with September 2025.

Bulgaria therefore outpaced Greece and Germany in percentage growth, despite handling fewer passengers.

Burgas and Varna provide important aviation connections to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline. Their higher passenger volumes added to the positive performance of European coastal tourism gateways within Fraport portfolio.

Peru Strengthens Fraport South American Performance

Peru delivered the second-fastest percentage increase among the locations listed.

Lima Airport (LIM) handled approximately 2.3 million passengers in September, up 10.5% year on year.

The improvement made Lima an important contributor to Fraport international passenger growth outside Europe.

Lima’s performance also exceeded the overall 2.7% passenger increase recorded across Fraport airport network.

The figures demonstrate that Fraport September growth extended beyond European destinations, with South America contributing substantially to the group’s international results.

Brazil Expands Its Airport Network with Jericoacoara

In Brazil, airports operated by Fraport handled approximately 1.2 million passengers in September.

For the first time, the Brazilian figures included Jericoacoara Airport (JJD) in northeastern Brazil following its addition to Fraport international operating network.

Jericoacoara contributed 27,272 passengers during the month.

Meanwhile, Fraport established airports at Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA) recorded combined year-on-year passenger growth of 2.1%.

Brazil’s reported total now covers three airports instead of two. The 2.1% increase applies specifically to Fortaleza and Porto Alegre combined, rather than the enlarged three-airport portfolio.

The addition of Jericoacoara expanded Fraport operational presence in Brazil and introduced another regional destination into its international traffic reporting.

Türkiye Faces Passenger Decline at Antalya Airport

Türkiye presented a contrasting picture compared with the growing markets.

Antalya Airport (AYT), which serves the Turkish Riviera, handled approximately 5.1 million passengers in September 2026.

That represented a 1.7% decrease compared with September 2025.

Despite the decline, Antalya remained among the busiest airports within Fraport reported international network.

Its weaker performance contrasted with the increases reported by airports in Greece, Slovenia and Bulgaria, demonstrating that passenger traffic growth was not consistent across European leisure destinations.

Fraport Worldwide Travel Network Maintains Positive Momentum

Across its actively managed airports, Fraport welcomed approximately 21.1 million passengers in September, representing 2.7% annual growth.

Germany remained a major contributor through Frankfurt Airport’s passenger volumes. Slovenia, Peru and Bulgaria delivered particularly strong percentage increases, while Greece maintained substantial regional traffic.

Brazil also contributed to the overall results following the inclusion of Jericoacoara Airport.

However, Antalya’s decline and Frankfurt’s strike-related disruptions highlighted continuing operational challenges.

Germany remains a major player in Fraport passenger market, as Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria, Peru, and Brazil contribute to the worldwide traffic volume surge, resulting in 21.1 million passengers in September 2026, an increase of 2.7% compared to the previous year.

Thus, the total number of passengers carried by the company’s international airports in September reflects a growing trend, which implies the significance of their geographical spread.