INTERNATIONAL. The Airports Council International (ACI World) today released its World Airport Traffic Report, including data which shows the dramatic negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air passenger levels.
According to ACI World’s latest figures, worldwide airport passenger numbers plummeted by -58.4% in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year. International passenger traffic was hit hardest, recording a -64.5% decline. Overall aircraft movements declined by -41.6%.
Initial half year 2020 data shows that last year’s busiest world airports (by total traffic, international and domestic) – Atlanta, Beijing and Los Angeles – have suffered falls of -56.6%, -73.6% and -58.9% respectively, as part of what ACI World confirms is the sharpest decline in the industry’s history.
The World Airport Traffic Report – which references airport traffic trends and rankings, including data from 2,565 airports in more than 180 countries worldwide – also revealed that passenger numbers are estimated to have surpassed 9.1 billion in 2019. This marked an increase of +3.5% compared to 2018, illustrating a healthy aviation industry before what ACI World describes as the “catastrophic impact” of the current pandemic.
The report also shows that in 2019 passenger traffic in emerging markets and developing economies grew slightly faster (+3.9%) than in advanced economies (+3.1%). Africa (+6.0%) and Latin America-Caribbean (+4.4%) posted the strongest growth of all regions in passenger traffic.
“The industry is united in the view that widespread testing of passengers before travel, as an alternative to quarantine restrictions, will be a crucial way to foster public confidence in air travel and must be introduced.” – ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira
ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira made a strongly-worded statement on what he and his organisation consider to be the immediate priorities for air traffic recovery. He said: “From a period of sustained global growth in 2019, the aviation industry now faces the worst crisis we have ever confronted with huge declines in passenger traffic and revenues due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Aviation – and airports as a key focal point of the industry – will be a key driver of the global economic recovery from COVID-19 and governments need to provide assistance and coordination to help safeguard jobs, protect essential operations, and provide sensible policies to facilitate the return of air connectivity.
“We are positive about the future, but we need consistency and collaboration across the globe on key issues like testing. The industry is united in the view that widespread testing of passengers before travel, as an alternative to quarantine restrictions, will be a crucial way to foster public confidence in air travel and must be introduced.
“As we begin the long and difficult journey back to the levels of success seen in 2019, we need to work together across the industry and hand in hand with ICAO and international health organisations to develop a global approach to testing that will help establish consistent and workable procedures. This is the way.”
