ACI World: 2024 a Milestone for Global Passenger Traffic

Photo source: Pexels.

Global passenger traffic is set to reach 9.4 billion passengers in 2024, exceeding pre-Covid 2019’s 9.2 billion passengers by 102.5 percent and paving the way for a record year, said Airports Council International (ACI) World.

Based on data from ACI’s latest quarterly air travel outlook, world passenger volumes in 2023 are forecast to reach 8.6 billion passengers, recouping 94.2 percent of 2019 levels.

At the same time, the percentage of lost traffic continues to decrease on a quarterly basis, from -23 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023 to 13 percent in Q4 2024.

The first region to outdo its 2019 levels is Latin America-Caribbean, estimated to reach 707 million passengers or 102.9 percent of 2019 levels.

Photo source: Pexels.

However in Europe, recovery is expected to slow down in 2023 and 2024, in contrast to the sharp rise in 2022. By the end of 2023, around 2.3 billion passengers are expected in Europe, or 95.5 percent of 2019 levels. Passenger volumes are set to rise in 2024 at a slower pace to around 2.5 billion passengers or 101.4 percent of pre-Covid 2019 levels.

By the end of 2023, the North America region is estimated to reach 2019 levels with 2.0 billion passengers, recouping 99.8 percent. In the year 2024, passenger traffic to the region is set to reach 2.1 billion passengers, or 103.7 percent of 2019 levels.

“ACI World projects that global air travel will nearly return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, with all regions expected to reach this milestone by 2024,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said.

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira. Photo source: ACI World.

According to the director general, upside factors include the reopening of the Chinese market and surge in domestic travel, supply chain disruptions gradually subsiding, and inflation slowing down.

“While downside risks remain present, we continue to witness the dedicated efforts and commitment of ACI airport members and partners, and we are filled with optimism about the industry’s future,” he added.