**Toulouse-Blagnac Traffic Q1 2026: Paris and Long-Haul Drive Growth Despite Overall Decline**
In the first quarter of 2026, Toulouse-Blagnac airport recorded 1,689,291 passengers, a 2.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. This volume remains at only 78% of 2019 levels, confirming that the airport has not yet fully recovered from the pandemic. The decline is attributed to the closure of easyJet's base in April 2025 and increased aviation taxes, which particularly affected European routes.
**International traffic: Europe down, long-haul up**
International traffic accounted for 54% of total passengers, with 907,576 travelers, down 4% year-on-year. However, this average masks a stark contrast: intra-European traffic fell 10% due to the easyJet base closure, while non-European international traffic surged 8% and reached an impressive 113% above 2019 levels. This shift reflects the growing importance of long-haul routes for regional airports, a trend that ATPL students should monitor as it influences aircraft type selection, crew scheduling, and fuel planning.
**Domestic traffic: Paris rebounds, regional routes struggle**
Domestic traffic reached 781,715 passengers, up 2% from 2025, but still only 66% of 2019 levels. Paris routes grew 8%, now representing nearly a third of total traffic, while transversal routes (connecting Toulouse to other French cities) dropped 11%. For ATC students, this concentration on a single high-density route (Paris) versus thinner regional services has implications for slot coordination, airspace congestion, and contingency planning.
**Cargo and movements**
Freight and mail volumes rose 10% to 9,123 tonnes, though still only 48% of 2019 levels. Commercial movements fell 4% to 14,659, indicating higher load factors and optimized schedules. This operational efficiency trend is relevant for ATPL students studying airline economics and for ATC students analyzing traffic flow management.
**MyATPS takeaway**
This article demonstrates how external factors (base closures, taxes, high-speed rail competition) reshape airport traffic patterns. For ATPL candidates, understanding these dynamics is crucial for route planning, fuel calculations, and operational decision-making. ATC students should note how traffic concentration on key routes affects workload distribution and airspace design.
