Aviation Statistics By Passenger, Airport Delay, Market Share, Region, Revenue and Trend

Joseph D'Souza
Written by
Joseph D'Souza

Updated · Sep 24, 2024

Rohan Jambhale
Edited by
Rohan Jambhale

Editor

Aviation Statistics By Passenger, Airport Delay, Market Share, Region, Revenue and Trend

Introduction

Aviation Statistics: The world’s economy heavily relies on the aviation sector for its cruciality in connecting people, businesses, and cultures across great distances. It is an ever-changing sector that mirrors the wider trends in the economy and changes in consumer behavior. The year 2023 and 2024 were characterized by both recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and new challenges like fluctuating fuel prices, regulatory changes, as well as evolving customer expectations.

The following article analyses aviation statistics extensively for these two years, examining important metrics such as passenger numbers and cargo volumes, among others, measuring airline profitability and regional performance. Understanding this data is critical because it enables one to understand what the industry looks like today while also predicting what it could be like tomorrow.

Editor’s Choice

  • According to aviation statistics, passenger traffic through Irish airports significantly rose in 2024, with 8.2 million passengers moving through the five main airports.
  • This number reflects an increase of 8% over 2023 and a hike of 39% when compared to the same period back in 2020.
  • In comparison with 2023, around 600,000 more individuals utilised Irish airports during Q1 2024.
  • In addition to flight activity – which rose to over 59,000 flights handled at Ireland’s five main airports during this particular year – there was also an upsurge in flights similarly established (by more than 2,400) during this period compared to other years considered.
  • Out of all these flights (50,248), Dublin Airport had an 85% share; Cork Airport only accounted for about 7%.
  • According to aviation statistics, in 2024, passengers traveling through Dublin Airport most often visited London Heathrow. For Cork and Shannon airports, London-Heathrow was the top route, while London-Stansted was the most used route for Knock Airport. Lastly, Kerry’s busiest route was Dublin.
  • Thus, in March 2024, the number of people who either settled here or left it was more than double (over two-and-a-half times higher) than that of March 2020. Compared to March last year (2023), this number was also 11% higher.
  • Airfreight handled by Irish airports in 2024 experienced a 15% increase from 2023.

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General Aviation Statistics

  • Aviation Statistics has stated that the aviation industry in the USA was mainly male-oriented as of 2023, with 88.8% of aerospace engineers being men and only 11.2% being women.
  • The average daily passenger count for U.S. airlines in 2022 was 2,512,411, bringing the total to 917,029,842 for the year. Currently, over 5,000 aerospace engineers are engaged in this sector.
  • The NAS system defines a flight that arrives at its destination fifteen minutes later than expected as delayed in the USA.
  • In 2023, American Airlines was the best airline in the USA, with a score of 7.97/10, followed closely by United Airlines (7.88/10) and Delta Air Lines (7.88/10).
  • Regionally speaking, Qatar Airways gained first position score-wise among Asian airlines with an 8.38/10 rating; Eurowings topped European airline charts at eight points two seven out of ten; while North America saw American Airlines emerge on top after getting rated seven points nine seven on a ten-point scale.
  • During the fiscal year 2022, 24,813 instances of holding by center occurred, which is a phenomenon characterized by an aircraft flying around but not taking off.
  • The total operations at the 30 largest US airports amounted to 11,758,471, an increase of 23.2% from 2021.
  • According to the aviation statistics, for instance, in the year 2022, when it comes to average daily capacity (ADC) with over 3000 operations (O/D) per day, Atlanta (AL), Memphis (MEM), Chicago (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), and Denver ranked high.
  • During peak periods, the National Aerospace System recorded 5,300 aircraft moving every minute between 1500 GMT and 2200 GMT hours, actively flying within them.

Number of Aviation Passengers Statistics

-number-of-passengers-handled-at-airports-in-india-from-financial-year-2014-to-2024-by-type

(Reference: statista.com)

  • With more than 400 airfields and airports, India has approximately 135 operational ones.
  • According to aviation statistics for the 2024 fiscal year, 376 million individuals used Indian airports, including nearly 69.6 million international travelers.
  • Passenger traffic during this year was remarkable, as it exceeded previous highs of 2019 by 15% compared to 2023.
  • The great decrease recorded in 2021 was caused by the suspension of passenger air transportation in the second half of March 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Aviation Passenger Traffic Statistics

(Source:travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com)

  • According to aviation statistics, the forecasted growth rate for FY 2024 passenger traffic has increased to 14-16%.
  • International passenger traffic is expected to exceed pre-COVID levels in FY2024, while domestic passenger traffic has already exceeded that mark.
  • Overall passenger traffic for FY2024 is expected to scale new heights with an estimated record of 373-380 million, reflecting y-o-y growth of 14-16% as against the earlier estimate of ICRA, which was 12-14%.
  • This optimistic outlook is supported by the ensuing festive and holiday season even as the Indian airport infrastructure sector remains on a ‘Stable’ outlook.
  • By 2023, worldwide passenger movement kept on gaining background, soaring to 4.4 billion passengers compared to 4.0 billion passengers recorded in 2022- an astonishing climb in this region. This represents a year-on-year increase of 10%, thus suggesting that aviation statistics are heading back to their original position before the pandemic struck it down. But even then, it’s still below what was achieved in 2019 when 4.5 billion people used air transport; therefore, it can be concluded that after 2023, the industry had not yet fully reestablished itself.
  • According to aviation statistics by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global airline traffic will attain about 4.8 billion in 2024, which is another 9% increase compared with 2023. The growth arises from increasing demand in emerging markets, especially found within the Asia-Pacific region as well as the Middle East, where they experience high economic growth accompanied by an expanding middle class, leading to increased travel habits among them. On the contrary, such moderate growth can be expected from North America and Europe due to market maturity coupled with uncertainties surrounding the respective economies.

Aviation Statistics By Airport Delay

the-sources-of-delays-at-core-30-airports-by-type-of-delay-fy-2022

(Reference: enterpriseappstoday.com)

  • Aviation statistics define a delayed flight as one arriving at the specified destination fifteen minutes later than planned.
  • Weather contributed to most of the delays (61.4%) among the airport hubs. Other major reasons for delays were runway congestion (24.9%) and volume problems (6.5%).
  • However, equipment malfunction accounted for an insignificant 0.8% of delayed flights.

Aviation Industry New Passenger Record Statistics

(Source: statista.com)

  • According to aviation statistics, worldwide passenger traffic fell by 60% in 2020, and passenger revenue was down almost 70%, leading to mass layoffs throughout the aviation sector.
  • Nevertheless, according to IATA’s latest estimates, industry revenue might top almost US$1 trillion this year alone, making recovery seem imminent.
  • By 2024, air travel is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels, with close to 5 billion users compared to more than 400 million passengers in 2019.
  • Demand for airline services has never been stronger than it is today when record-high levels of air travel are anticipated at a staggering 5 billion people flying within one year’s time frame in 2024 alone.
  • Furthermore, around $8.3 trillion worth of trade is transported via air freight worldwide, making it an integral part of the global economy.
  • Aviation undeniably plays its part in people’s goals and aspirations as well as national economies’ progress.

Domestic Aviation Market Share Statistics

domestic-market-share-of-airlines-across-india-in-financial-year-2023-by-passengers-carried

(Reference: statista.com)

  • India’s aviation statistics sector has witnessed a quick rise over time, becoming an alternative to lengthy and monotonous travel by roads or railways.
  • Following its definitive growth path, it is estimated that India will be one of the biggest aviation marketplaces globally by 2034.
  • For the financial year 2023, IndiGo held approximately 54.7% of the passenger carrier segment, thereby assuming the market leadership position.

Worldwide Most Punctual Airfligts

(Source: statista.com)

  • The punctuality league by OAG reveals that last year, Tokyo Haneda was the most punctual among large airports globally.
  • With over 70 million people traveling through it each year, Haneda had 91.25% of its flights leaving on time.
  • In terms of airline reliability, airBaltic has taken this position for the second year in a row with an astonishing 94.4%, ensuring all its aircraft land is 15 minutes behind schedule at most.
  • It is important to note that American companies were not included in the list of top performers.

Leading Aviation Companies Brands

leading-airline-brands-ranked-by-brand-awareness-in-the-united-states-in-2023

(Source: coolest-gadgets.com)

  • In 2023, it was stated that American Airlines was a leading airline recognized by most Americans, accounting for 86% of their awareness.
  • Delta Air Lines, however, stood just below 84%, while United Airlines had an 83% share of brand recognition amongst the populace.
  • Other than these, two major airlines are Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, with 80% each.

Top 10 Aviation Airports Worldwide

top-10-aviation-airports-worldwide-by-seats.

(Source: coolest-gadgets.com)

Airport NameSeats

Dubai International

4,989,008
London Heathrow Apt

4,002,343

Singapore Changi Apt

3,434,207
Seoul Incheon International Airport

3,370,715

Amsterdam

3,200,107
Istanbul Airport

3,023,367

Paris Charles de Gaulle Apt

2,999,521
Frankfurt International Apt

2,837,245

Hong Kong International Apt

2,812,341
Doha (QA)

2,698,348

  • According to the chart given for aviation statistics, the number of seats indicates the ten leading airports in global aviation.
  • London Heathrow and Singapore Changi Airport follow close behind. Dubai International is at the helm with almost five million seats.

Aviation Aircraft Fleet By Region

size-of-aircraft-fleets-by-region-worldwide-in-2023-and-2042

(Reference: statista.com)

  • The global aircraft fleet will increase from 24,510 in 2023 to 48,575 by 2042. Fleet expansions in established markets like Eurasia and North America are expected to be around 79% and 42%, respectively.
  • Meanwhile, China’s fleets are predicted to grow by about 142%, reaching 9,590 aircraft before the year 2042.
  • In 2017, there were approximately 24,000 commercial airplanes, which, according to Oliver Wyman’s estimates, would rise to 35,000 by 2027 and to 48,500 by 2037, according to Statista and Boeing.
  • Therefore, with the need to replace old aircraft and expand their fleet, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have no choice but to increase their production.
  • Demand for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) will rise sharply since airlines are transitioning from old planes to new ones; therefore, more growth is expected than the increase in fleet size itself. Hence, this will also be faster than what is happening in the airline industry itself.
  • Aviation statistics say the $109 billion market is expected to exceed this figure in just ten years, whereas it was at 75.6 billion dollars when this report was released in 2017.

Aviation Growth Statistics

estimated-airline-fleet-growth-between-2023-and-2042-by-region

(Reference: statista.com)

  • Many parts of our world will record an increase in the number of airlines by the year 2042.
  • Yet among the rest of the above areas, South Asia appears set for the highest average rate of growth, with 7.2% per annum from 2023 through to 2042. Similarly,
  • Southeast Asia is also expected to expand considerably as its fleet will grow at a yearly rate of 6.9% during that time interval.

Aviation Projected Deliveries

projected-deliveries-in-the-global-commercial-aircraft-fleet-from-2023-to-2042-by-aircraft-type

(Reference: statista.com)

  • By the end of 2023 to 2042, approximately 42,595 new commercial airliners are likely to be delivered worldwide.
  • Then, narrow-body aircraft (which are smaller and mostly used on shorter routes) were going to be the most prevalent type of airplane worldwide.
  • Out of these newly acquired planes, more than 32,400 will prove to fit into this category.

Aviation Revenues and Profitability

  • Airlines’ revenues went up because plane travelers increased too.
  • According to 2023 aviation statistics, global airline revenues will amount to USD 750 billion compared to USD 680 billion in the previous year, showing an increase of approximately 10.3%. This was mainly driven by high ticket prices and more focus on premium services, which airlines wanted so much so that they could take advantage of the strong travel demand.
  • However, despite this growth rate, profit margins were still low, with the average operating margin standing at 5%. This shows that challenges like high fuel costs, among others, remain.
  • Looking forward to next year, global airliner revenues are projected to exceed $800 billion US dollars by 2024, representing a 6.7% upturn compared with last year’s forecasts.
  • Profit margins, on the other hand, have been predicted to stay tight, with an operating margin estimated at 6%.
  • Airlines’ operational efficiencies and cost-cutting schemes are anticipated to generate this minimal hike.
  • Nonetheless, these predictions could be affected by outside influences, such as fluctuations in fuel prices or forthcoming changes in regulations.

Investment in Aviation Industry Trends

  • India is projected to invest approximately nine billion U.S. dollars in building new airports between 2020 and 2025.
  • Seemingly, in 2022, China was leading globally in terms of air transport infrastructure expenditures, with thirty billion euros, while Japan and Germany spent one billion euros each. This means that infrastructure investment requirements tend to be lower for smaller nations owing to their smaller areas.
  • Around 100 new and renovated airports have been planned to develop regional connectivity across India.
  • In the last 15 years, significant expansion has been observed in the Indian aviation industry, which is likely to continue due to various supportive government programs, including the UDAN scheme.

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

  • Prospective environmental issues in the aviation industry have become even more pronounced than before.
  • Aviation statistics say that there are about 950 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (a rise of 5% from 2022).
  • This upsurge was largely induced by an increase in passenger traffic.
  • However, airlines are gradually being pressed towards lessening their share of emissions, which results in the purchase of fuel-efficient planes and non-conventional fuels.
  • In 2024, the industry hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2%, or approximately 930 million metric tons, through the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and flight operational efficiency.
  • Regulative frames are expected to be tighter, particularly in Europe, forcing airlines to move faster toward sustainability measures.

Conclusion

For the better part of last year and this year, aviation statistics have been resilient, showing a significant recovery in passengers and revenue alone. However, it continues to face challenges such as low-profit margins, environmental issues, and regional growth differences.

The presented data is an important reminder for airlines and other stakeholders that they must always innovate, invest strategically, and adapt to changing scenarios. The future of this sector will depend on sustainability and efficiency, therefore defining its long-term success in the years ahead.

FAQ.

What were the key aviation statistics for 2024?

In 2024, passenger traffic through Irish airports rose to 8.2 million, an 8% increase over 2023 and a 39% rise compared to 2020. Dublin Airport had an 85% share of flights, with London Heathrow being the most popular destination.

How did the aviation industry perform in terms of profitability and revenue in 2023 and 2024?

In 2023, global airline revenues reached USD 750 billion, up 10.3% from the previous year, driven by high ticket prices and premium services.

What are the projected trends for aircraft deliveries and fleet growth?

From 2023 to 2042, approximately 42,595 new commercial aircraft are expected to be delivered. By 2042, narrow-body aircraft are forecasted to become the most common type globally, with over 32,400 of these new planes fitting into this category.

What are the recent investment trends in the aviation industry?

India is projected to invest around nine billion U.S. dollars in developing new airports between 2020 and 2025. In 2022, China led globally in air transport infrastructure spending with 30 billion euros, while Japan and Germany each spent one billion euros.

What are the major environmental and regulatory challenges facing the aviation industry?

The aviation industry aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2% in 2024, targeting 930 million metric tons of CO2. Increased passenger traffic drove the 5% increase in emissions from 2022. Airlines are focusing on purchasing fuel-efficient planes and using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to meet stricter regulatory requirements, particularly in Europe, and address environmental concerns.

Joseph D'Souza
Joseph D'Souza

Joseph D'Souza founded Sci-Tech Today as a personal passion project to share statistics, expert analysis, product reviews, and experiences with tech gadgets. Over time, it evolved into a full-scale tech blog specializing in core science and technology. Founded in 2004 by Joseph D’Souza, Sci-Tech Today has become a leading voice in the realms of science and technology. This platform is dedicated to delivering in-depth, well-researched statistics, facts, charts, and graphs that industry experts rigorously verify. The aim is to illuminate the complexities of technological innovations and scientific discoveries through clear and comprehensive information.

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