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Airports face financial challenges despite traffic rebound, ACI World reveals

Elizabeth BakerBy Elizabeth BakerMay 1, 20253 Mins Read
Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its latest airport industry economic and financial performance data, revealing a gap between the recovery of passenger traffic and total airport revenues.

Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its latest airport industry economic and financial performance data, revealing a gap between the recovery of passenger traffic and total airport revenues. While passenger traffic nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 – just 5.4% below 2019 – airport revenues lagged further behind, falling short by 11.4%.

The ACI World Airport Economics Report examines the economic and financial performance of airports for the 2023 fiscal year, drawing data from over 1,060 airports worldwide. These airports account for 82% of global pre-pandemic passenger traffic, providing a comprehensive overview of the sector’s recovery.

Key global highlights

In 2023, global airport revenues reached US$146bn, a 21.4% increase from 2022. However, this is still 11.4% lower than the US$158.6bn reported in 2019, pre-pandemic. Aeronautical revenues remained the primary source of total airport revenues in 2023, reaching US$79bn (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$54bn (17% below 2019) and saw a slight decline, from 40.2% in 2019 to 36.7% in 2023. 

Capital costs rose 4% from 2022 and exceeded pre-pandemic figures by 1%, reaching US$40bn. This increase was driven mainly by an 18% increase in interest expenses, reflecting the ongoing financial strain from airport debt. 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$2.4tn 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.

Justin Erbacci, director general of ACI World, commented, “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.”

In related news, according to an ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) survey of over 30 airports from the region, airports in the APAC and Middle East regions have a combined investment of US$240bn dedicated to both upgrading existing facilities and building new airports between 2025 and 2035. Click here to read the full story.

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