Aircraft
More Aircraft Return to Flying as European Summer Arrives
Eurocontrol data shows that the number of inactive airplanes parked at European airports has fallen to less than half its peak in 2020.
Eurocontrol data shows the number of inactive aircraft declining as the summer approached. (Image: Eurocontrol)
Eurocontrol data shows the number of inactive aircraft declining as the summer approached. (Image: Eurocontrol)

The number of inactive airplanes in Europe has fallen to its lowest point since the start of the pandemic, a sign of what Eurocontrol calls a gentle recovery in flights as the summer season gets underway. According to the agency’s latest data snapshot released on Tuesday, the statistics show that operators have returned to service more than 800 airplanes from the start of May to June 1, resulting in a total of 3,384 parked airliners—still more than double the number of inactive machines on the same date in 2019 but less than half the peak recorded in the spring of 2020.