ACI’s 2020 world airport traffic rankings show dramatic impact of COVID-19

Airports Council International (ACI) World has published its preliminary world airport traffic rankings – covering passenger traffic, cargo volumes and aircraft movements for 2020 – which show the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on what are ordinarily the world’s busiest airports.

Global passenger traffic at the world’s top 10 busiest airports decreased by 45.7 per cent in 2020. Overall, passenger traffic at the world’s airports decreased by 64.6 per cent, which shows that the impact of the pandemic and the early stages of recovery in air travel has not been uniform around the world.

According to the preliminary data, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in China recorded the most passenger traffic in 2020, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in the U.S. just behind.

Seven of the top 10 airports for passenger traffic are in China, with three in the U.S. In most cases, domestic air travel is beginning a modest rebound, while international air travel remains depressed because of ongoing travel restrictions. For example, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) in China has moved from 46th position in 2019 to 9th position in 2020, illustrating the uneven nature of the impact of, and recovery from, the pandemic across the world.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global passenger traffic brought aviation to a virtual standstill in 2020, and we continue to face an existential threat,” said ACI World’s Director General, Luis Felipe de Oliveira. “The data published today reveals the challenge that airports continue to face, and it remains imperative that the industry is supported through direct support and sensible policy decisions from governments to ensure that aviation can endure, rebuild connectivity and fuel a global economic recovery.”

“The findings show that the impact remains uneven, with different regions experiencing different challenges and requiring different policy decisions and support from governments to lay the foundation for recovery. With some positive signs of recovery, especially in countries with high rates of vaccination, a sustained global recovery will only be realised with an escalation of vaccination campaigns, the continued development of digital health passes and coordinated and cohesive policy support from governments,” he added.

Air cargo was less impacted by COVID 19, with volumes decreasing by only 8.9 per cent, to an estimated 109 million metric tonnes in 2020, equivalent to 2016 levels (110 million metric tonnes).

Air cargo volumes in the top 10 airports grew by 3 per cent in 2020. These airports represent around 28 per cent (30.6 million metric tonnes) of the global volumes in 2020. The gain can be attributed to the increase in demand for online consumer goods, pharmaceutical products and personal protective equipment (PPE). With a 6.7 per cent increase, Memphis International Airport (MEM) surpassed Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

ACI World estimates that there were 58 million global aircraft movements in 2020, representing a drop of 43 per cent from 2019. The top 10 airports represent seven per cent of global traffic (4.2 million movements) and experienced a drop of 34.3 per cent compared to 2019. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport surpassed Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), after leading in 2019 and 2018.

For airports, revenues are tightly correlated to traffic levels but, like many other capital-intensive businesses, a large proportion of airport costs remain largely fixed and do not fall at the same level as traffic throughput and revenues during the crisis. Even with reduced operations, the closure of terminals and staff layoffs, this imbalance remains.

“There is no denying the current economic realities – and the financial shortfall that they create – that airports face,” said de Oliveira. “Airports are economic generators, bringing socio-economic benefits and jobs to the communities they serve, and governments need to provide the necessary financial alleviation and assistance to suit local circumstances. Airport operators also continue to work closely with their airline partners and other stakeholders, balancing the current market realities with the cost of providing the infrastructure as they navigate the crisis together.”