Brussels, 12/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - A press release issued by Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, on 10 January explains that 2005 was a record year for aviation in Europe with over 9.2 million flights, a 4.5% rise on 2004. Growth was particularly noticeable in Eastern Europe, with Croatia, Slovakia and Poland seeing growth of 18%, 17% and 16% respectively. This trend is set to continue, with forecast growth across Europe of 3% on average in 2006 according to Eurocontrol. On average day in Europe in 2005, more than 2 million passengers took to the sky (more than 700 million in total in 2005). Passenger growth is anticipated to increase to an average of 2.5 million per day in the summer of 2006. Eurocontrol comments that 'while higher ticket prices may depress demand, growth will be driven by growth of the low-cost carriers, expansion in the Turkish market and the development of the East European economy.' With the number of flights forecast to rise by 35% over the next 10 years, there is a need to ensure the capacity of the airspace network can grow at a similar pace: 'Otherwise there is a clear risk that economic growth in Europe could be constrained. By 2025, growth in air transport is forecast to contribute some EUR 200 billion at today's prices to Europe's GDP,' explains Eurocontrol.