By Luis Felipe de Oliveria, ACI World Director General
According to ACI World, 2024 is expected to be a milestone for global passenger traffic as it reaches 9.4 billion passengers, surpassing the year 2019 that welcomed 9.2 billion passengers (102.5% of the 2019 level).
Upside factors include the consolidation of 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—such as their on-time performance—and we are filled with optimism about the industry’s future.
The airport categories in the On-Time Performance Review are based on the current level of flight activity. American airports reached great results with Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) leading in the Global and Large airport categories. American Airports – Salt Lake City International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport take fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place respectively in the Global category. Indian airports strengthen their on-time performance and continue last year’s trend – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Kempegowda International Airport leap to second and third place in both the Global and Large Airport categories.
Japanese airports continue to prove their on-time performance lead with Osaka International Airport holding first position in the Medium Airport category, while Chubu Centrair International Airport takes second position in the Small Airport category.
Latin American airports make significant headway in all airport categories; Mariscal Sucre International Airport leads in the Small Airport category and Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport achieve third place; Tocumen International Airport, Jorge Chavez International Airport, and Brasilia International Airport secure second, third and fourth in the Medium airports category; and El Dorado International Airport the fourth in the Global and Large airports categories–all participating in the top 5 of their respective groups.
Their stellar performance could not be better timed: Latin America and the Caribbean is in fact forecasted by ACI World to be the first region to surpass its 2019 level, reaching 707 million passengers, or 102.9% of the 2019 level by the end of 2023.
It is clear that airlines’ performance is attached to airport results and vice versa, showing once more the joint efforts to build efficiency with benefits for passengers and the whole aviation ecosystem. Congratulations to the top airports in each of the categories for their exceptional on-time performance as we continue to build a sustainable aviation ecosystem fit to welcome current and future travellers with efficiency, performance, and an exceptional passenger experience. We can only operate successfully and reach new heights as an ecosystem when all aviation stakeholders come together around the needs of passengers and communities worldwide.
