Europe faces tension between overtourism limits and airport expansion

Europe is facing a growing paradox as many cities attempt to curb the negative effects of overtourism while major airports simultaneously prepare for increased passenger traffic. This expansion of infrastructure, including new runways and terminals, contrasts with local efforts to manage the pressure on housing, public spaces, and natural resources caused by excessive visitor numbers.

A study by Transport & Environment analyzed expansion plans for 20 major European airports across ten countries, finding that all studied airports would exceed their carbon budgets required to meet global warming scenarios.

In a separate analysis of passenger experience, AirAdvisor identified the most stressful air routes in Europe based on delays, cancellations, weather exposure, and flight duration. The Amsterdam–Barcelona route was ranked as the most stressful, followed by London–Amsterdam and Manchester–Dublin. Major tourist hubs such as Rome, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and London were noted for high levels of passenger discomfort due to operational issues.