Airports face financial challenges despite air traffic rebound says ACI World

In it’s latest Airport Economics Report, ACI World has reported that airports face financial challenges due to a significant shortfall between passenger traffic recovery and total airport revenues. Despite passenger traffic nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 (5.4% off 2019 numbers), airport revenues lagged, falling short by 11.4%.

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.

Airport financial challenges affect infrastructure 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 maximises 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 maximising its social and economic benefits,” said ACI World Director General, Justin Erbacci.

Read the report here.