Montreal, 19 September 2024 – Airports Council International (ACI) World has published its second bi-annual Advisory Bulletin, providing an updated outlook on global air travel demand. The report pulls data from over 2,700 airports across more than 180 countries and territories worldwide, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the aviation industry’s recovery and growth.
Passenger Traffic Forecast for 2023–2024
According to ACI World, total global passenger traffic for 2023 was confirmed at 8.7 billion, nearly identical to the organization’s February 2024 forecast, with an impressive accuracy rate of 99.99%.
This milestone, however, highlights the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry. Before the pandemic, global passenger traffic was projected to hit 10.5 billion by 2024, which would have represented 124% of 2019 levels. The latest forecast for 2024 estimates that passenger numbers will instead reach approximately 9.5 billion—around 104% of 2019 levels and representing a 10% year-on-year (YoY) increase from 2023.
By mid-2024, ACI data showed total passenger traffic had already increased by 11% YoY, reaching 102% of the year-to-date (YTD) level recorded in June 2019. The domestic travel market grew at a slower pace of 6% YoY, while the international market experienced a robust recovery, with a 17% YoY rise in passenger numbers.
International vs. Domestic Passenger Markets
The data reveals that international travel has been the key driver of aviation recovery. In 2023, the international passenger market saw significant improvements, and this trend is expected to continue through 2024. ACI projects that by the end of 2024, international passenger traffic will reach 4.1 billion, representing 43% of total global passengers. Domestic passenger traffic, on the other hand, is expected to reach 5.4 billion, accounting for 57% of total passengers.
This upward trend in air travel highlights the growing demand for both international and domestic flights as the aviation sector continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
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