ACI World – Full recovery in sight for air travel worldwide

In hugely encouraging news for travel, tourism and travel retail, Airports Council International (ACI) World has forecast full recovery in air traffic in 2024.

Global passenger numbers are forecast to reach 9.4 billion next year, exceeding the figure of 9.2 billion in 2019.

In 2023, said the association, passenger volume worldwide should reach 8.6 billion, or 94.2% of the 2019 level.

Latin America-Caribbean is set to be the first region to surpass 2019 volumes. This year, the region is estimated to reach 707 million passengers, or 102.9% of the 2019 numbers.

While Asia Pacific has seen a substantial jump in passenger traffic in the first half of 2023, and the opening of the Chinese market, its recovery is predicted to “slow down significantly in the second half of the year due to challenges in overseas tourism and looming economic concerns”, said ACI. Recovery will continue into next year, with the region expected to reach 3.4 billion passengers, or 99.5% of the 2019 level.

By the end of 2023, around 2.3 billion passengers are expected to travel in Europe, or 95.5% of the 2019 level. This will further increase in 2024 but at a slower pace, to around 2.5 billion passengers, or 101.4% of the 2019 level.

The Middle East was the fastest-recovering market in 2022. In 2023, the region is predicted to continue its recovery and reach 394 million passengers, or 96.8% of the 2019 level. In 2024, the passenger number is projected to be 429 million, or 105.4% of the 2019 figures.

By the end of 2023, North America is estimated to reach 99.8% of the 2019 level with 2 billion passengers. While the region showed a strong recovery during 2021 and 2022, driven by domestic travel, its growth for the next couple of years is expected to continue at a slower pace. In the year 2024, passenger traffic in the region is forecasted to reach 2.1 billion passengers, or 103.7% of the 2019 level.

Africa is expected to have a steadily increasing pattern for the upcoming years, reaching 221 million passengers, or 96.3% of the 2019 level, in 2023. The region is forecast to reach 253 million passengers, or 110.6% of the 2019 level, by the end of 2024. This steady growth is expected to be driven by markets such as Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: “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.

“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.

“Aviation is a key driver of growth, jobs, and prosperity, providing employment, social benefits, and economic development to communities worldwide. This sector remains a steadfast force in global economic recovery, bridging connections among people, cultures, and economies.”