Airport revenue continues to lag behind pre-pandemic benchmarks

Airport revenue has continued to lag behind pre-Covid-19 pandemic benchmarks, according to a report by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

The trade association’s latest Airport Economics Report and Key Performance Indicators survey show that while global passenger traffic surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, airports continue to fall short of where they were projected to be before the outbreak.

This is despite airports worldwide having served 9.4 billion passengers in 2024, exceeding 2019 levels by 4%.

ACI suggested that the gap between pre-pandemic benchmarks and real traffic levels “underscores the need for financially resilient airports and supportive regulatory frameworks” needed to sustain connectivity, improve operations, and fund airport development.

The association noted that the report came at a time of heightened volatility in the airline industry, which continued to influence “airspace availability, route networks, and operating costs”, ultimately putting airports worldwide under additional pressure.

It added that “pace of recovery will depend on financing conditions, inflationary pressures, regulatory frameworks, and broader geopolitical and economic uncertainty”.

“Passenger demand has fully rebounded, but airport revenues are still catching up, underscoring the financial pressures airports continue to face,” said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci. “As global air travel demand is set to grow strongly in the coming decades, policymakers must support regulatory frameworks that allow airports to strengthen their financial resilience and invest in the infrastructure needed to sustain connectivity and economic growth.”

Recent figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found that air passenger demand grew by 3.8% at the start of 2026.