Airport revenues lag behind traffic recovery as ACI World releases new economic performance data

Airports Council International (ACI) World has published its latest data on the economic and financial performance of the airport industry, highlighting a notable gap between the recovery of passenger traffic and total airport revenues. Although passenger numbers in 2023 were close to pre-pandemic levels—just 5.4% below those of 2019—airport revenues continued to lag, remaining 11.4% lower.

The new ACI World Airport Economics Report analyses the economic and financial results of airports for the 2023 fiscal year, based on data from more than 1,060 airports worldwide. Together, these airports represent 82% of global pre-pandemic passenger traffic, offering a comprehensive view of the industry’s recovery.

Details on ACI World’s report on airport revenue recovery
 

Key global highlights:
 

• Total revenues: In 2023, global airport revenues reached US$146 billion, a 21.4% increase from 2022. However, this is still 11.4% lower than the US$158.6 billion reported in 2019, pre-pandemic.
   
• Aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues: Aeronautical revenues remained the primary source of total airport revenues in 2023, reaching US$79 billion (14% below 2019), with a virtually unchanged share of 53.6% compared to 54.0% in 2019. Meanwhile, non-aeronautical (commercial) revenues—a vital component of airport financial sustainability— stood at US$54 billion (17% below 2019) and saw a slight decline, from 40.2% in 2019 to 36.7% in 2023.

• Capital costs rose by 4% from 2022 and exceeded pre-pandemic figures by 1%, reaching US$40 billion. This increase was driven mainly by an 18% increase in interest expenses, reflecting the ongoing financial strain from airport debt.
   
• Debt-to-EBITDA ratio: The debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved to 5.74:1 in 2023, indicating progress in managing debt. However, this ratio remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, underscoring ongoing financial challenges.

Infrastructure challenges and future air travel growth

The weakened financial health of airports creates significant challenges for infrastructure development needed to meet future travel demand. According to ACI World, global passenger numbers are expected to rise to 17.7 billion by 2043 and 22.3 billion by 2053—almost 2.4 times the projected volume for 2024. To address the long-term growth in passenger demand, an estimated US$2.4 trillion in total capital investment will be needed by 2040 for airport infrastructure.
 

These investments are essential to maintain a sustainable aviation ecosystem that maximizes the social and economic benefits of air travel, including job creation and regional development.
 

“While passenger traffic has rebounded, airport revenues continue to lag behind, underscoring ongoing financial challenges. With air travel demand expected to soar in the coming decades, it is crucial that regulators implement flexible policies to support airport infrastructure investments—ensuring aviation’s sustainable growth and maximizing its social and economic benefits,”said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci.

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