Montreal, Canada: Middle East air passenger traffic is set to reach 449 million in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and marking a significant recovery in global air travel.

Airports Council International (ACI) released said, air passenger traffic in the Middle East is projected to soar to 449 million in 2024, reaching 110pc of 2019 levels.

Following the global recovery from Covid-19, passenger traffic has rebounded strongly in the UAE, the wider Middle East, and internationally, returning to pre-pandemic figures.

In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead global growth, with a 13pc year-on-year (YoY) increase, hitting 3.4 billion passengers by the end of the year. Africa is forecast to reach 244 million passengers in the same period, surpassing 2019 levels by 106pc.

North America is expected to see a 7pc YoY growth, with total passengers reaching 2.2 billion in 2024, representing 107pc of pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, European passenger traffic is set to hit 2.5 billion, or 102pc of 2019 figures.

Airports Council International World estimates that global passenger traffic will total approximately 9.5 billion in 2024, representing 104pc of 2019 levels, driven by a 10pc YoY increase. International passengers are expected to reach 4.1 billion, accounting for 43pc of the total, while domestic traffic will make up 57pc, with 5.4 billion passengers.

During the first half of 2024, global passenger traffic increased by 11pc, surpassing June 2019 levels by 2pc. In 2023, total global passengers reached 8.7 billion, reflecting a 30.6pc rise from 2022 and a recovery to 95pc of pre-pandemic figures.

The study included data from more than 2,700 airports across over 180 countries and territories worldwide.

-B