According to the preliminary data published today, Guangzhou Bai Yun International Airport in China recorded the most passenger traffic in 2020, with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the United States just behind.

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

“The impact of the COVID-19 on global passenger traffic pandemic brought aviation to a virtual standstill in 2020 and we continue to face an existential threat,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “The data published today reveals the challenge 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 realized with an escalation of vaccination campaigns, the continued development of digital health passes, and coordinated and cohesive policy support from governments.”

Air cargo was less impacted by COVID 19, with volumes decreasing by only -8.9%, 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% in 2020. These airports represent around 28% (30.6 million metric tons) 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. With a 6.7% increase, Memphis International Airport surpassed Hong Kong International Airport.

ACI World estimates that there were 58 million global aircraft movements in 2020, representing a drop of -43% from 2019. The top 10 airports represent 7% of global traffic (4.2 million movements) and experienced a drop of 34.3% compared to 2019. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport surpassed Chicago O’Hare International Airport 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. Busiest airports in the world

“There is no denying the current economic realities—and the financial shortfalls they create—that airports face,” Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “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.”

• Total passengers enplaned and deplaned, passengers in transit counted once

• International passengers enplaned and deplaned

Passenger Traffic in Europe in 2021 Busiest airports in the world

Passenger traffic in Q1 slumped by -81.7% across the European airport network, compared to the same period pre-pandemic (Q1 2019). This marked a further decrease from the previous quarter (Q4 2020 at -79.2%), resulting in the loss of 395.5 million passengers.

A closer look at the data reveals that Europe has become a two-speed aviation market, with airports in the EU, EA, and Switzerland still sinking into the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other European airports, led by those in Russia and Turkey, are faring much better.

The top 5 European airports in Q1 all came from Russia and Turkey, with Istanbul Airport (-64%) the busiest European airport, followed by Moscow-Domodedovo (-18%), Moscow Sheremetyevo (-60%), Istanbul-Sabiha Gokcen (-48%) and Moscow-Vnukovo (-26%). While Paris-CDG -82%), Madrid (-81%), Frankfurt (-83%), and Amsterdam-Schiphol (-87%) still made it into the top 10 leagues, London-Heathrow (-91%) did not.

Remarkably, Sochi airport (+47%) welcomed more passengers than London-Heathrow as Russians flocked to the Black Sea resort city, thus becoming the one and only airport in Europe to post an increase in passenger traffic in Q1.

The passenger traffic at airports in Turkey, Russia, and other markets improved markedly from -59% in January to -49% in March, with Q1 closing at -54.8%. This is due in large part to airports in Russia and to a lesser extent Turkey and Ukraine, reflecting larger domestic markets combined with less severe lockdowns and travel restrictions.

First-look April data shows no improvement

Preliminary data for April shows no significant improvement, despite the timing of the Easter holidays at the beginning of the month. In the first 10 days of April, passenger traffic at Europe’s airports was down by -80%, with airports in the EU/EEA/Switzerland and the UK at -87% and others at -48.7%.

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