Global air travel operations soared in 2024, with aircraft movements reaching 100.6 million—a 3.9% increase from 2023—according to the newly released 2025 World Airport Traffic Dataset by Airports Council International (ACI) World.
This total represents 96.8% of 2019 levels, marking continued momentum toward full post-pandemic recovery in global aviation activity.
Among the busiest hubs, the top 20 airports accounted for 11.08 million aircraft movements, reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year increase. Notably, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) climbed ten positions to become the 8th busiest airport globally in terms of aircraft operations, showcasing China’s accelerating role in international air traffic.
The dataset, compiled from over 2,800 airports across more than 185 countries and territories, offers the most detailed view yet of global aviation performance across three key categories: passenger traffic, air cargo volumes, and aircraft movements.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci praised the resilience of the aviation industry, saying:
“These rankings reflect the scale of global aviation and the resilience of the industry that continues to grow, despite the complex global environment. Reliable data like this helps airports navigate headwinds and make informed decisions.”
The 2025 dataset underscores a steady return to pre-pandemic operation levels, positioning airports worldwide to adapt and scale in response to rising demand across commercial air travel and freight.
