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Accor, ICD and Valor launch six-hotel cluster in Deira Waterfront

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Accor, Valor Hospitality Partners, and ICD (Investment Corporation of Dubai), the principal investment arm of the Government of Dubai, have strengthened their partnership with the launch of a six-hotel cluster in Dubai Deira Waterfront as part of the Deira Enrichment Program.

This expansion integrates three well-established Accor properties under the ibis Styles, Aparthotel Adagio, and Mercure brands, along with three new properties that will be branded as Novotel, ibis Styles, and Mercure in Dubai.

The cluster officially opened April 1, 2025, further solidifying Accor’s position in Dubai’s hospitality sector, addressing the growing demand for quality midscale and economy accommodations, expanding Valor’s current management portfolio in the UAE, and further cementing a commitment to operational excellence and financial efficiency.

With a diversified portfolio, this expansion caters to distinct traveller needs, with Adagio meeting the demand of extended stays, Mercure delivering locally inspired experiences, ibis Styles providing design-driven affordability, and Novotel seamlessly blending business and leisure.

“Focusing on strategic, sustainable and exponential growth is the driving force of our partnership with ICD and its wholly owned property developer Ithra Dubai,” said Julien Bergue, Co-Founder & Managing Partner – Middle East, AMEA at Valor Hospitality Partners. “This intensifies our firm commitment to the UAE and Dubai Hospitality Sectors, both well known for their innovation and excellence. The project also reflects our belief in our new slogan, ‘A Whole World of Local,’ which underscores our dedication to being closely connected to our partners and communities in the UAE, the Middle East, and wherever we operate.”

For Accor, the expansion aligns with its long-term vision for the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. “Strengthening our collaboration with ICD reaffirms our commitment to sustainable growth with trusted partners. By integrating these properties under the Accor umbrella, we are reinforcing our alignment with the UAE’s vision to enhance tourism and hospitality infrastructure in key districts. This expansion also reflects the increasing demand for quality midscale and economy accommodations in Dubai, catering to a diverse range of travelers,” said Paul Stevens, Accor’s Chief Operating Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy brands for Middle East and Africa.

The partnership between Valor Hospitality Partners, ICD, and Accor exemplifies the synergy of global expertise and deep local market insights. By optimising financial performance and driving sustainable growth, this collaboration sets new benchmarks for Dubai’s hospitality industry, ensuring each property thrives in its unique context.

Aligned with the UAE’s sustainability and economic diversification goals, Accor and Valor Hospitality Partners integrates eco-conscious practices and community development throughout its operations. From resource conservation initiatives to skill development, Accor and Valor remain dedicated to fostering local talent and supporting national employment objectives.

This strategic agreement marks a significant milestone for all three partners, strengthening their collaboration in one of Dubai’s most dynamic districts. As demand surges for midscale and economy accommodations, the portfolio is poised to serve a growing segment of travelers seeking quality stays at competitive pricing.

Accor operates over 290 properties in the Middle East across all its brands, with plans to expand further, adding +130 new addresses by 2028.

 

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DXB tops ACI’s busiest airports list

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Airports Council International (ACI) World offers an exclusive first look at the 2024 rankings of the world’s busiest airports, showcasing their resilience in navigating global uncertainty. Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, these airports have successfully held their top rankings, positioning themselves for continued growth.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports says: “Every year brings its own challenges in aviation, but some things remain constant. Dubai International (DXB) has retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for the 11th consecutive year, according to Airports Council International (ACI). With 92.3 million guests in 2024, we not only extended our decade-long hold on the top spot but also set a new global benchmark for international traffic at a single airport.

While this achievement is measured in numbers, it speaks to something far greater than scale alone. It reflects the extraordinary power of Dubai as a destination in its own right – a city people choose to visit for tourism, for trade and business, or to call home.

It is a proud moment for Dubai Airports and for the entire oneDXB community, whose collaboration and extraordinary efforts continue to shape the way we welcome the world and deliver a guest experience that reflects the spirit of this city.

But while milestones like this are worth celebrating, our focus remains firmly on the future. The development of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International is already underway, bringing with it the opportunity not just to expand capacity, but to completely rethink airport design and reimagine the travel experience itself.

It is a bold vision, shaped by everything we have learned, and driven by the ambition to redefine what is possible all over again.”

 

 

 

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Iloilo International Airport welcomes first direct Scoot flight from Singapore

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Iloilo International Airport welcomed Scoot’s first direct Singapore-Iloilo flight early on Monday, 14th April.

The inaugural flight from Singapore carried 107 passengers when it arrived in the Central Philippine city at 5:35am.

This maiden flight for Singapore Airlines’ low-cost carrier was welcomed with a water cannon salute, local music, and refreshments. 

Subsequently, the return flight heading to Singapore flew out at 6:10am on the same day with 103 passengers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) released a statement regarding the flight, declaring: “The new route reinforces Iloilo’s role as a regional gateway and is expected to boost tourism and economic activity in Western Visayas. CAAP continues to work closely with aviation partners to promote regional growth while upholding the highest standards of safety and service.”

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AirAsia adds Auto Visa Check to its app and website

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AirAsia introduced an Auto Visa Check (AVC) feature on its AirAsia MOVE app and website to allow seamless online check-ins for international routes that require a visa and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

This latest innovation is part of the airline’s pioneering efforts to simplify the journey for millions of guests across the region by avoiding wait times and easing congestion at airport check-in counters. 

With this innovative AVC feature, guests can verify their visa in real time during online check in, up to 14 days and until one hour before scheduled departure time, from the comfort of their home or while on the go.

How the system works

In order to use the AVC feature for checking in online:

  1. Launch the AirAsia MOVE app or visit airasia.com
  2. Select your flight to check in
  3. When prompted, scan the sticker visa on your passport or upload the e-visa
  4. Get your e-boarding pass once your visa is verified
  5. If not, head to the check-in counter for a manual document check

For guests travelling with hand-carry luggage only, they may proceed directly to the boarding gate using their e-boarding pass (where applicable) or reprint their boarding pass at the self-service kiosk if needed. 

Guests with checked baggage may print their bag tags at the kiosk and drop their bags at the designated baggage drop counter.

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Why are cruises becoming more popular among global travellers?

The post Why are cruises becoming more popular among global travellers? appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

In the nearly three years following the weakening of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global travel sector has noted a significant increase in the number of cruises being booked by travellers.

While this is surprising enough to many people, it is a trend that travel professionals and intrepid travellers welcome as it offers a completely different way to see the world. 

What’s more is that it may be booked anywhere in the world: the itineraries offer something for everyone regardless of age, gender, and personal preferences.

But as to why the cruise sector has boomed in such a way over the past several years, today’s report will show the mitigating factors and trends that are currently driving the popularity of cruises among today’s travellers.

While we are yet to hit the same numbers as before the pandemic, the cruise industry continues to grow

In a nutshell: the global cruise sector as of 2024

According to Grand View Research’s Horizon Databook for 2024, the global cruise sector earned a total revenue of US$8.87 billion as of the end of last year.

North America remains the industry’s largest core market, with Americans and Canadians accounting for 50.1 percent of the total market in 2024, though the United Kingdom, Japan, and Brazil are not far behind.

However, if we take regional markets into consideration, the Middle East is steadily gaining ground and places like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates stand to become major source markets for the sector by 2030.

Grand View Research analysts also project that, based on a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9 percent per annum, the global cruise sector stands to generate up to US$18.35 billion in total revenues by the end of the current decade.

While ocean cruises remain the biggest player in the industry, river cruises are steadily gaining sway in Europe, as well as parts of South and Southeast Asia.

Luxury cruises, particularly those run by major hospitality brands like Aman and Four Seasons, are also becoming quite popular and are growing well alongside experiential and / or expedition cruises.

Also, we need to take into consideration the fact that the average age of cruise passengers has significantly gone down over the past five years.

Changing demographics are significantly altering the industry

Thanks to television shows and cinema, many people grew up thinking that cruises were strictly for older people seeking more sedate pursuits as they ride the waves.

In the 21st century, however, nothing can be further from the truth as recent reports show that cruises now have solid appeal with a much younger demographic.

Indeed, a report published by BANC in the first quarter of 2024 represented by the chart above shows that individuals between the ages of 30 and 59 now make up 53 percent of the cruise passengers who travelled in 2023.

In a similar report, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) pointed out that the average age of cruise passengers has gone down from around 60 to just 46 since the end of the pandemic, and that the over-60 population now makes for just 32 percent of cruise passengers in the past year.

In both reports, there was also a notable rise in the number of Gen Z individuals taking to cruises: 9.1 percent in 2024 and the number continues to rise as of press time.

As to why this is so, we look to s statement made by Fora Travel head of cruise Randy Marsden said in an interview with USA Today earlier this month: “Basically, people who originally thought that cruising wasn’t meant for them, and are now starting to see these products that are catered to them, and even seeing like the older, more established cruise lines offering new things on board to appeal to younger travelers.”

Social media and traditional media both have their part to play as well, as many solo travellers cite travel influencers on Instagram and TikTok as their primary source of inspiration for booking their own cruise experiences.

Accommodations in today’s cruise ships are at par – possibly even more so than – with those of land-based hotels

Better than conventional hospitality?

Considering how global cruising was the last sector in the travel industry to recover from the pandemic, it has since gained momentum and we are currently seeing competitive pricing despite inflationary issues, along with an upsurge in bookings.

In an interview in October of last year, Patrick Scholes, a travel and leisure analyst at Truist, remarked that cruise companies are having their day in the sun despite ongoing economic issues affecting other sectors in the travel and tourism industries.

Brandt Montour, an analyst for Barclays, commented: “The cruise industry’s continued strength in bookings and demand, whilst cracks form across much of the rest of the travel market, is primarily driven by the combination of the still significant discount to land-based vacations coupled with the relatively elevated service levels.”

Given Montour’s sentiments and trends seen in the third and fourth quarters of 2024, cruises are gaining popularity as a more exciting and significantly cheaper alternative to more conventional hotel stays and land-centric tours.

Indeed, accommodations on board ship are now more or less at par with those of their land-locked counterparts; larger or more luxury-centric cruise lines also offer exclusive butler service, in-room dining, and other perks for their passengers.

Top decks on today’s cruise ships feature numerous activities for passengers

Something for everyone

At the recent rebrand for StarCruises and Dream Cruises (previously known together as Resorts World Cruises), company president Michael Goh pointed out that, not unlike hotels, cruise ships have a lot to offer today’s travellers.

Interestingly, Goh pointed out that some travellers made this discovery whilst looking for alternative trips during the pandemic.

According to Goh: “During the COVID period, there were not many travel options for travellers and they were like, ‘I have to come on board the cruise ship.’ When they did come aboard the cruise ship, they realised how exciting it was in terms of the facilities that the vessel offered.”

The passengers who came aboard at the time were active individuals who were feeling restless following the enforced isolation of the period.

For these travellers, cruise ships offered a variety of ways to stay active and have fun that they would not have normally encountered on a conventional staycation or tour.

Goh said: “So, we’ve got a zipline, six water slides, and even onboard entertainment; that’s what actually opened their eyes. Today, when we talk about cruise ships, travellers no longer say that they had a very boring time onboard.”

This sentiment is shared by StarCruises’ senior vice-president for entertainment Colin Kerr who was quick to remind us during a recent interview that, not too long ago, cruise vacations were thought of as sedate and slow-paced experiences; the coming of younger passengers, Millennials and Gen Z in particular, has pretty much upended this scenario.

Kerr said: “As times change and we keep getting new generations coming aboard, we’ve had to rethink what we do. Attention spans are a little bit shorter now. We have to offer a lot more variety and have people moving around, so that’s what we’re doing now.”

As a result, cruise ships offer a broad spectrum of activities to appeal to all ages and all levels of personal activity.

Onboard theatres offer shows ranging from musical performances that would not be out of place on Broadway or the West End, to  contemporary magic acts and acrobatic spectacles to easily rival those of the famed Cirque du Soleil.

Along with shore excursions, active types are spoilt for choice thanks to onboard gym facilities, extreme sport options like ziplining and rock climbing, and even aquatic fun in the form of pools of varying depths and water slides of varying heights and angles.

For cruise lines that lean strongly towards family-centric vacations, daycare centres and conventional play areas have been augmented with experiential areas for older children which combine play with learning, as well as digital and virtual reality arcades and even team-building activities for teenagers.

But this is all the tip of the iceberg; we will not be surprised if cruise lines continue to step up their game in the coming months and years and a new generation of travellers makes its way to the high seas.

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Kempinski Hotels renews partnership with China’s BTG Hotels Group

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Kempinski Hotels and BTG Hotels (Group) Co., Ltd. (BTG Hotels) recently renewed their long-standing strategic partnership. 

At present, Kempinski Group has already begun the implementation of a strategic plan that seeks to reclaim and strengthen its market leadership in the global hospitality sector.

As part of the renewed partnership, Kempinski and BTG Hotels will focus on Chinese travellers by launching a new brand which will offer a curated selection of rooms, experiences and services to cater to the evolving needs of the local demand. 

According to Kempinski’s chief product officer Rasha Lababidi: “Given China’s strategic importance in our strategy, this new lifestyle brand will just reinforce our long-term commitment to the local market and will help further expand our footprint in the region. Domestic travellers will benefit from the best of both worlds, Kempinski hospitality and service expertise on one hand, distinct products and experiences specially designed for them on the other hand. Together with BTG Hotels, I look forward to bringing this new brand to life.”

The extension of the partnership between Kempinski Hotels and BTG Hotels demonstrates Kempinski long-term vision to remain a key hospitality player in the region, as part of the transformational change that the brand is going through to develop and position Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality group as a dynamic, world-class leader in the luxury travel industry.

A long-standing plan of action

Under the renewed agreement, Kempinski Group is launching a multi-year investment plan to support the growth of the very successful partnership with BTG Hotels. 

This plan will focus on four key pillars:

  1. Expand the Chinese Heritage Portfolio for the Kempinski brand, enlarging the offering for sophisticated Chinese travellers discovering China and offering authentic Chinese heritage experiences for the international travellers discovering this beautiful country.
  2. Launch a new lifestyle hospitality brand to reach 200 hotels in China over the next five years. Leveraging the strength of BTG Hotels, the continuous growth of the Chinese market and Kempinski’s expertise in crafting unique experiences, this new brand will enlarge the choice for Chinese customers in China.
  3. Continue to strategically support the Bristoria brand portfolio and strengthen the collaboration to expand the global expansion of the NUO brand and establish it as a benchmark in luxury cultural hospitality worldwide.
  4. Reinforce the cooperation on membership system integration.

This commitment underscores their mutual ambition to lead the way in hospitality and meet the evolving needs of the Chinese market.

Shared success

According to BTG Hotels chairperson Li Yun: “BTG and Kempinski have achieved tremendous success during the past two decades. China’s role on the travel and tourism stage has undergone a major shift in the last quarter century, and Kempinski has been a part of that journey since day one. We look forward to further strengthening the long-term strategy in the region, leveraging the hospitality expertise of Kempinski, and together, continuing to be a driving force in the development of China’s hospitality landscape.”

For her part, Kempinski chief executive Barbara Muckermann remarked: “Kempinski and BTG enjoy a strong partnership and rich history together, as pioneers in luxury hospitality in China. We are very fortunate to have BTG Hotels, the third largest hotel group in the country, as our partner. Our collaboration offers us a unique advantage to continue aggressively expanding in the region. I look forward to the next phase of the collaboration to reinforce our position into the future.”

Kempinski originally expanded into China in 1992 with the country’s first-ever five-star luxury hotel, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center, formerly known as Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center. 

Following early successes in China, Kempinski and BTG created Key Co in 2001, a joint venture established to operate hotels throughout China, leveraging the hospitality expertise of Kempinski, as the oldest independent luxury hotel company in Europe, and BTG Hotels’ reputation as the most prestigious travel and tourism company in China. 

In 2018, Kempinski and its long-term Chinese partner mutually agreed to prematurely review the joint venture for another 50 years as a sign of confidence from both parties in the partnership and the enduring potential of this market. 

Today, the joint venture is one of the largest international luxury brand operators in China, operating 22 hotels.

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Philippines reelected vice-president of UN Tourism General Assembly

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The Philippines was reelected vice-president of the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) and chair of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) from 2025 to 2027.

The country’s Department of Tourism (DOT) made the announcement on the evening of Tuesday, 15th April.

At a press conference on the sidelines of the 56th Meeting of the UN Tourism CAP in Jakarta, Indonesia, DOT secretary Christina Frasco thanked the member states of the UN Tourism, saying Manila would push for stronger collaboration within the UN body.

Thanks to its reelection, the Philippines will continue to honour its commitment to global tourism cooperation and diplomacy.

The Philippines held the same positions after its election at the 55th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for East Asia and the Pacific in Cambodia in 2023.

In 2024, the country successfully hosted the 36th CAP – Commission for South Asia and the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum for Gastronomy Tourism, bringing together more than 600 delegates from more than 40 countries in Cebu.

Japan and Fiji have submitted their candidacies as vice chairs of the CAP. 

Meanwhile, Laos has been nominated as a member of the Credentials Committee.

For specialised committees, South Korea has been nominated for the Committee on Tourism Online Education.

In alignment with institutional foci

Frasco said the Philippine tourism agenda remains well-aligned with that of the UN Tourism, especially on improving tourism education and maximizing innovation and digitalization in the sector.

She said: “In the Philippines, these are topics that resonate very well with us, especially that our focus is on the development of quality tourism, to prioritize our stakeholders first and foremost that they’re able to benefit from the touristic activities that are conducted upon our shores.”

Frasco added that the Philippines is eager to work together with its regional neighbours  to ensure that all are able to bring regional tourism to its fullest potential, whilst sustaining the longevity of key destinations for generations to come.

For his part, UN Tourism secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili commended the Philippines for its continued leadership in regional tourism while citing the country’s successful hosting of the UN meetings last year.

The secretary-general underscored that the main objective now should be to invest in job creation and education. 

Pololikashvili likewise reaffirmed UN Tourism’s commitment to establishing a Tourism Academy in Cebu.

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HBX Group teams up with FinPay for HBX Group eWallet

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B2B travel technology marketplace HBX Group announced the launch of HBX Group eWallet, a collaborative development with Spanish e-money firm FinPay, on Tuesday, 15th April.

HBX Group Wallet is an innovative B2B payments platform specifically designed for the travel industry. 

The product will be initially available in Spain in April 2025, with plans to expand to OECD countries starting in June.

According to HBX Group’s chief product and new business officer Daniel Nordholm: “HBX Group eWallet represents a decisive step toward modernising B2B payments in the travel ecosystem. We want to set a new standard for efficiency and security in the sector, and this partnership with FinPay allows us to achieve this with a solution tailored to the industry’s needs.”

FinPay chief executive Juan Antonio Soriano echoed Nordholm’s sentiments, adding: “This collaboration with HBX Group leverages the full potential of financial technology applied to real-world business contexts. FinPay represents a breakthrough in the digitalisation of B2B payments and financing, and we are proud to be the technology partner making it possible.”

What exactly is the HBX Group eWallet?

A B2B eWallet is a digital solution that allows companies to securely store and manage payments quickly, and efficiently. 

Operating similarly to a digital wallet for consumers, it is designed to facilitate instant, cross-border transactions between companies. 

That said, the HBX Group eWallet, developed specifically for the travel industry, goes a step further by incorporating advanced features such as integrated financing, invoice access, and full transaction traceability. 

Its aim is to digitise and automate B2B payments, reduce transaction costs, and improve the operational scalability of the travel ecosystem.

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BizAway announces its acquisition of Aervio

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Travel management scaleup firm, BizAway announced its acquisition of Spanish artificial intelligence (AI) solutions provider Aervio.

With this acquisition, BizAway further boosts its innovation process, thereby strengthening its technological assets via the travel-centric artificial intelligence solutions offered by Aervio. 

BizAway also announced that it will be absorbing most of Aervio’s team, with team members joining the former’s offices in Spain.

Founded in April 2016 in Barcelona, Aervio has established itself in the market for developing AI-based tools that can optimize travel planning. 

Specifically, the company has created an intelligent platform that uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to fulfill requests in minutes, reducing search, booking and billing time by 90 percent. 

The acquisition will enable BizAway to further enhance its proprietary platform, thus ensuring an even more efficient, personalized and proactive service.

Time to grow

The announcement comes after a period of intense growth for BizAway. 

Since 2015, BizAway has raised over 50 million euros in funding, with a recent round of 35 million secured in September 2024 by Mayfair Equity Partners, backed by the likes of MundiVentures, Azimut Digitech Fund, FNDX, GELLIFY, EXOR Seeds, and illimity. 

Co-founder and chief executive Luca Carlucci said: “This acquisition marks an important step in our growth and innovation strategy. In an ever-changing industry like business travel, artificial intelligence represents a key opportunity. However, we strongly believe that technology must go hand in hand with the centrality of the human factor, especially in the area of customer assistance: this is why we will continue to invest in order to offer the best service with empathetic and competent support that is close to the real needs of companies and travelers.”

Aervio CEO Santiago Montero de Quadras added: “I am very happy about the successful operation we’ve just closed with BizAway. I truly believe in BizAway’s vision of delivering the future of travel, and I’m proud that Aervio’s technology, team and expertise can contribute to that journey.”

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The busiest airports in the world defy global uncertainty and hold top rankings: ACI

The post The busiest airports in the world defy global uncertainty and hold top rankings: ACI appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

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Airports Council International (ACI) World offers an exclusive first look at the 2024 rankings of the world’s busiest airports, showcasing their resilience in navigating global uncertainty. Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, these airports have successfully held their top rankings, positioning themselves for continued growth.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said, “Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress.”

Passenger traffic highlights
• Preliminary figures indicate that the 2024 global total passengers are close to 9.5 billion, representing an increase of 9% from 2023 or a gain of 3.8% from pre-pandemic levels (2019).
• The Top 10 busiest airports, representing 9% of global traffic (855 million passengers), witnessed a gain of 8.8% from 2023 and a gain of 8.4% vis-à-vis their 2019 results (789 million pax in 2019).
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport defends its top position, followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
• The biggest jump in the Top 10 rankings was recorded for Shanghai Pudong International Airport, going from 21st position in 2023 to the 10th spot in 2024. The jump was fueled by expanded visa policies, the resumption and expansion of international flights, operational enhancements, and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China.
• The unwavering strength of Istanbul Airport and New Delhi International Airport keep them in top ranks, marking significant progress over 2019. Both airports have been thriving due to airline expansion, infrastructure growth, and enhanced global connectivity.

 

Navigating global uncertainty

2024 saw global passenger growth face significant uncertainties that stemmed from evolving economic and geopolitical landscapes. Ongoing supply chain challenges and production delays from aircraft manufacturers, as well as geopolitical tensions, posed a risk to growth opportunities by potentially altering flight routes, increasing operational costs, and affecting passenger sentiment. Additionally, the threat of tariffs raised concerns about potential disruptions to global trade, which indirectly affected international travel demand and increased constructions.

In 2025, global passenger traffic is forecast to reach 9.9 billion with a 4.8% year-over-year growth rate. While passenger demand remains strong, the pace of expansion is expected to slow as markets shift from recovery-driven surges to structural, long-term growth patterns.

Key challenges such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and capacity constraints are expected to increasingly shape the industry’s trajectory. In advanced markets, demand stabilization, supply chain bottlenecks in aircraft production and airport capacity shortage may temper growth, while in emerging markets, higher infrastructure investment and rising middle-class travel demand will likely continue to drive expansion. As the industry moves into a new era of growth, the airport industry must focus on financial viability, investment in infrastructure, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

Cargo traffic highlights

• Air cargo volumes are estimated to have increased by 8.4% year-over-year (+3.9% versus 2019), to over 124 million metric tonnes in 2024.

• Air cargo volumes in the top 10 airports–representing close to 26% (32.3 million metric tonnes) of the global volumes in 2024—gained 9.3% in 2024 year-over-year or a gain of 9.5% vis-à-vis their 2019 results (29.5 million tonnes in 2019). Air cargo traffic is more concentrated amongst the main airports.

• The increase in cargo is attributed mainly to strong e-commerce demand, maritime shipping disruptions, and declines in jet fuel prices.

• Hong Kong International Airport remained the top rank, followed by Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Memphis International Airport.

Aircraft movements
• 2024 global aircraft movements are estimated to be around 100 million, representing a gain of 4.3% from 2023 or -2.6% vs 2019 (i.e., a recovery of 97.4%).

• The Top 10 airports representing over 6% of global traffic (6.4 million movements), witnessed a gain of 6.5% from their 2023 results or a slight gain of 0.4% vis-à-vis their 2019 results (6.3 million).

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is at the top, followed by Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

 

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