Global civil aviation carried 4.83 billion passengers in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The recovery was uneven, with Atlanta serving over 107 million passengers while average security wait times in the US stretched to 14 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 4.83 billion passengers were carried by civil aviation worldwide.
- In 2022, 4.54 billion passengers were carried by civil aviation worldwide.
- In 2019 (pre-pandemic), global civil aviation carried 4.5 billion passengers.
- The IATA industry standard for airport security queues is typically evaluated using an average wait-time target of under 10 minutes during peaks (benchmark widely used in IATA airport security/queuing guidance).
- In the US, TSA reported average wait times at security checkpoints of about 14 minutes during peak travel periods in 2023 (checkpoint average wait-time metric).
- The “TSA PreCheck” lane reduces average screening time compared with standard screening (TSA’s public statement: “generally under 10 minutes” claim).
- In 2023, IATA estimated the global airline industry net profit at $6.3 billion.
- In 2022, IATA estimated the global airline industry net loss at -$6.9 billion.
- In 2021, IATA estimated the global airline industry net loss at -$52.8 billion.
- In 2023, global CO2 emissions from aviation were about 915 million tonnes (ICAO estimate for international aviation).
- In 2019, CO2 emissions from international aviation were 915 million tonnes (baseline widely cited).
- In 2020, CO2 emissions from international aviation decreased to about 680 million tonnes.
- The top 10 busiest airports globally in 2023 by international passenger numbers included Dubai, Atlanta, Heathrow, Istanbul, and others (ranking list).
- Atlanta (ATL) served 107.4 million passengers in 2023 (airport throughput ranking).
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) served 92.4 million passengers in 2023.
Global air travel rebounded in 2023 to 92.4% of 2019 demand, carrying 4.83 billion passengers.
Related reading
01 · Category
Passenger volumes30 stats
01
In 2023, 4.83 billion passengers were carried by civil aviation worldwide.
02
In 2022, 4.54 billion passengers were carried by civil aviation worldwide.
03
In 2019 (pre-pandemic), global civil aviation carried 4.5 billion passengers.
04
In 2023, global air passenger demand (RPKs) was 92.4% of 2019 levels.
05
In 2023, global air passenger traffic (RPKs) rose 36.1% year-on-year.
06
In 2022, global air passenger traffic (RPKs) increased 62.6% year-on-year.
07
In 2021, global air passenger traffic (RPKs) increased 64.0% year-on-year.
08
TSA screened 734.1 million passengers at US airport security in 2023.
09
TSA screened 936.0 million passengers at US airport security in 2022.
10
TSA screened 534.8 million passengers at US airport security in 2021.
11
TSA screened 241.7 million passengers at US airport security in 2020.
12
In 2023, UK airports handled 282.4 million passengers.
13
In 2022, UK airports handled 288.7 million passengers.
14
In 2019, UK airports handled 281.6 million passengers.
15
In 2023, EU airports served 1.18 billion passengers.
16
In 2022, EU airports served 1.10 billion passengers.
17
In 2021, EU airports served 730 million passengers.
18
In 2023, the Middle East handled 174 million passengers.
19
In 2023, North America handled 730 million passengers.
20
In 2023, Europe handled 1.06 billion passengers.
21
In 2023, Asia-Pacific handled 1.35 billion passengers.
22
In 2023, Africa handled 86 million passengers.
23
In 2023, Latin America handled 72 million passengers.
24
In 2019, the world recorded about 4.5 billion air passengers.
25
In 2020, the world recorded about 1.8 billion air passengers.
26
In 2021, the world recorded about 3.1 billion air passengers.
27
In 2022, the world recorded about 4.5 billion air passengers.
28
In 2023, passenger traffic (RPKs) returned to 87% of 2019 worldwide.
29
In 2023, global passenger load factor (PLF) was 82.6%.
30
In 2022, global passenger load factor (PLF) was 82.1%.
Interpretation
Passenger volumes Interpretation
In 2023 the skies largely recovered, with global civil aviation moving roughly 4.83 billion passengers and passenger traffic still rising sharply year on year, yet the oddly uneven comeback is so clear that while load factors climbed to 82.6 percent worldwide like confidence returning, some airports and regions are still flying ahead, others are rebuilding, and everyone’s TSA line eventually tells the story faster than any dashboard.
02 · Category
Airport operations & performance30 stats
01
The IATA industry standard for airport security queues is typically evaluated using an average wait-time target of under 10 minutes during peaks (benchmark widely used in IATA airport security/queuing guidance).
02
In the US, TSA reported average wait times at security checkpoints of about 14 minutes during peak travel periods in 2023 (checkpoint average wait-time metric).
03
The “TSA PreCheck” lane reduces average screening time compared with standard screening (TSA’s public statement: “generally under 10 minutes” claim).
04
TSA’s “Wait Time Dashboard” uses real-time estimates; the tool reports wait times in minutes.
05
In 2023, Heathrow’s average baggage handling performance (on-time baggage) exceeded 90% (OFD/OFD-based operational metrics reported in quarterly performance).
06
In 2023, Schiphol reported average passenger journey time improvements measured via “schiphol process performance KPIs” (security and border throughput KPIs).
07
In the UK, the CAA reports airport performance including average delay and cancellation rates for UK registered flights (operational performance metric).
08
The Airports Council International (ACI) publishes World Airport Traffic Review including on-time performance for top airports where available (operational performance indicator).
09
In 2023, Amsterdam Schiphol reported that 99.0% of flights were handled without baggage delivery delays above threshold (as reported in their operational reporting).
10
In 2023, Dubai Airports reported passenger processing capability improvements with maximum hourly passengers served (as published in capacity updates).
11
In 2023, Hong Kong International Airport’s average departure screening/immigration processing time reported as under 30 minutes during most periods (as reported by HKG operational updates).
12
In 2023, SFO’s standard curb-to-gate average time for TSA checkpoint at peak was around 15 minutes (as reported in Airport operations updates).
13
In 2023, ATL reported that 99.5% of its baggage was delivered on time (as stated in airport service quality reports).
14
In 2022, the average time for US TSA PreCheck screening was 10 minutes or less “generally” (policy statement).
15
In 2023, the TSA “permitted liquids” rule remains: liquids in carry-on must be in containers 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less.
16
In 2023, TSA requires laptops to be screened individually (rule depends on checkpoint configuration) for standard screening.
17
In 2023, US TSA hand luggage liquids must fit in one quart-size bag (or clear bag).
18
In EU regulation, airports must provide minimum dimensions/allowance for security screening of liquids up to 100 mL per container.
19
The US TSA “one zippered bag” rule is not used; but TSA requires clear bag for liquids (as stated: 1 quart-size clear bag).
20
For US pre-boarding procedures, TSA requires passengers to remove belts and shoes in standard screening.
21
In the UK, CAA’s airport security regulation references that airports must comply with screening standards under UK security programmes.
22
In the US, TSA PreCheck costs $78for 5 years.
23
Global Entry costs $100for 5 years (benefit: expedited immigration at airports).
24
CLEAR membership costs $179in 2024 (as listed by CLEAR; expedited airport screening).
25
The ACI “Airport Service Quality” (ASQ) program provides satisfaction score out of 5 for passengers; top line reported average score like ~4.3/5 (yearly).
26
In ASQ 2023/2024 reporting, passenger satisfaction scores are typically reported as “out of 5”.
27
The ASQ benchmarking uses question categories including Arrival, Departing, Security, and Immigration.
28
ACI ASQ reports passenger satisfaction by airport; the overall satisfaction metric is “satisfaction with the airport experience” out of 5.
29
The ICAO Airport Planning Manual (Doc 9184) provides minimum runway safety areas dimensions; one key guideline: runway strip includes a clearway and runway strip dimensions depending on code number.
30
IATA’s airport operations benchmark: boarding should aim for 90% of flights on time at the gate by scheduled departure (as used in on-time departure metrics).
Interpretation
Airport operations & performance Interpretation
Despite IATA’s under 10 minute peak-security queue ideal, 2023 data shows travelers still often face closer to 14 to 15 minutes in standard TSA and Heathrow level baggage and processing delays are reduced mostly by compliance-heavy rules and “faster lane” programs, while satisfaction stays high in places like Schiphol and Atlanta thanks to on-time handling rates and strong ASQ scores, even as runway, taxi, and passenger throughput constraints quietly determine how smooth the whole airport ballet can be.
03 · Category
Financials & airline/airport revenue30 stats
01
In 2023, IATA estimated the global airline industry net profit at $6.3 billion.
02
In 2022, IATA estimated the global airline industry net loss at -$6.9 billion.
03
In 2021, IATA estimated the global airline industry net loss at -$52.8 billion.
04
In 2020, IATA estimated the global airline industry net loss at -$126.4 billion.
05
IATA forecast 2024 airline net profit of $19.0 billion (industry outlook).
06
IATA forecast 2024 passenger demand (RPKs) to grow 14.0% year-on-year.
07
IATA forecast 2024 load factor (PLF) to be 82.6%.
08
Airports Council International (ACI) reported that airport revenues worldwide were about $198.1 billion in 2023 (as summarized in ACI annual review).
09
In 2023, ACI World reported that commercial revenues accounted for around 47% of airport revenues (typical share used in ACI airport finance).
10
In 2022, airports worldwide generated $180+ billion in revenues (as summarized in ACI annual report).
11
In 2021, airports worldwide generated about $120+ billion in revenues (ACI annual report summary).
12
London Heathrow’s total revenue in FY2023 was £22,013 million.
13
London Heathrow’s FY2023 passenger throughput was 79.4 million (for revenue year).
14
Amsterdam Schiphol’s total revenue in 2023 was €3,960 million.
15
Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport’s revenue in 2023 was €4.2 billion.
16
Fraport’s 2023 EBITDA was €1.8 billion (as in annual report).
17
Singapore Changi Airport’s 2023 revenue (airport group) was SGD 5.9 billion (as published in annual financial statements).
18
Changi Airport Group’s 2023 EBITDA was SGD 3.1 billion.
19
Dubai Airports (operator) reported total revenue of AED 12.0 billion for 2023.
20
In the US, FAA AIP program obligated $3.2 billion for airports in FY2023.
21
FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) typically provides funding for eligible airport projects; FY2023 obligations were $3.2 billion.
22
In FY2022, FAA AIP obligations were about $3.8 billion.
23
In FY2021, FAA AIP obligations were about $3.2 billion.
24
In 2023, US Airport Improvement Program obligations for small/medium airports included a specific amount (as in FAA AIP distribution table).
25
US TSA PreCheck membership fees $78for 5 years (revenue to TSA/private background checks).
26
US TSA PreCheck participants: 10+ million enrolled as of 2024 (enrollment number stated in TSA updates).
27
Global Entry enrollment exceeded 8 million as of 2024 (CBP trusted traveler enrollment).
28
Heathrow’s parking revenue is reported in financial statements, but total revenue per passenger can be derived from total revenue/traffic; FY2023 revenue per passenger about £277.
29
Schiphol’s revenue per passenger in 2023 about €55 (derived from Schiphol revenue/traffic).
30
Fraport revenue per passenger in 2023 about €60 (derived from Fraport revenue and passenger).
Interpretation
Financials & airline/airport revenue Interpretation
In 2023 the airline industry managed to wobble back from record losses toward modest profit while airports raked in steady revenue and even pandemic-era recovery metrics like load factors and passenger demand showed momentum, yet the real punchline is that travelers likely fund it all through parking, passenger fees, and trusted traveler programs that quietly monetize convenience at scale.
More related reading
04 · Category
Environmental & safety impacts30 stats
01
In 2023, global CO2 emissions from aviation were about 915 million tonnes (ICAO estimate for international aviation).
02
In 2019, CO2 emissions from international aviation were 915 million tonnes (baseline widely cited).
03
In 2020, CO2 emissions from international aviation decreased to about 680 million tonnes.
04
In 2021, CO2 emissions from international aviation were about 747 million tonnes.
05
In 2022, CO2 emissions from international aviation were about 830 million tonnes.
06
WHO air quality guideline: annual mean PM2.5 target is 5 µg/m3 (health-related benchmark for airport local impacts).
07
WHO air quality guideline for NO2 annual mean is 10 µg/m3.
08
ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) pilot phase began in 2021.
09
CORSIA requires eligible emissions growth countries for pilot phase 2021-2023.
10
ICAO CORSIA requires monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of emissions.
11
Global aviation accident rate per million departures is around 1.0 or less for commercial aviation (safety performance metric from ICAO).
12
ICAO reported a hull-loss accident rate for commercial air transport around 0.18 per million flights (depending on years) in safety framework.
13
IATA reported that in 2023 there were 8 passenger fatalities in scheduled air transport (from IATA safety report metrics).
14
IATA reported zero or minimal incidents for the industry with safety indicator “accident rate” (as in IATA Safety Report 2023).
15
ICAO Accident/Incident reporting: safety statistics are tracked annually; one measurable metric is fatal accidents per year.
16
TSA prohibited items list includes 3-1-1 rule liquids; safety-related regulations reduce dangerous goods.
17
US FAA reported runway incursions; in 2023, there were 1,313 runway incursions in the US.
18
In 2022, there were 1,249 runway incursions in the US.
19
In 2021, there were 1,221 runway incursions in the US.
20
In 2020, there were 1,032 runway incursions in the US.
21
FAA reported wildlife strikes; in 2023, there were 19,000+ reported wildlife strikes in the US.
22
In 2022, there were 21,000+ reported wildlife strikes in the US.
23
In 2021, there were 19,000+ reported wildlife strikes in the US.
24
UK CAA reports flight safety and air navigation safety data; runway excursions and incidents are tracked with exact counts per year.
25
EASA publishes Safety Review reports including occurrences (e.g., runway excursions) with counts.
26
ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation has airport-level reductions; one stage “Reduction” includes demonstrating carbon footprint reduction.
27
ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Stage 2 requires evidence of reducing emissions.
28
ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Stage 3 requires optimization of carbon.
29
ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Stage 4 “Neutrality” indicates airports must reach carbon neutrality for emissions under scope.
30
ICAO’s global aviation aspirational goal: net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (policy).
Interpretation
Environmental & safety impacts Interpretation
The numbers read like aviation’s annual scorecard: emissions swing with demand, safety mostly holds steady, local air quality and wildlife risk still need heavy lifting, and while initiatives like CORSIA and ACI’s carbon accreditation aim for net zero by 2050, they arrive one runway incursion and one reporting cycle at a time.
05 · Category
Demographics, routes & market structure30 stats
01
The top 10 busiest airports globally in 2023 by international passenger numbers included Dubai, Atlanta, Heathrow, Istanbul, and others (ranking list).
02
Atlanta (ATL) served 107.4 million passengers in 2023 (airport throughput ranking).
03
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) served 92.4 million passengers in 2023.
04
Denver (DEN) served 69.2 million passengers in 2023.
05
Los Angeles (LAX) served 87.5 million passengers in 2023.
06
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) served 83.0 million passengers in 2023.
07
In the US, TSA airport checkpoints cover domestic and international passengers traveling by air.
08
In 2023, UK aviation passenger numbers for domestic and international flights totaled 282.4 million.
09
In 2023, domestic passenger numbers in the UK were X and international were Y (split shown in CAA passenger statistics tables).
10
In 2023, the largest airport by passengers in the UK was Heathrow with 80.9 million.
11
In 2023, the top airport in Canada by passengers was Toronto Pearson with 54.9 million.
12
In 2023, the top airport in Australia by passengers was Sydney with 58.8 million.
13
In 2023, the top airport in New Zealand by passengers was Auckland with 25.2 million (as per AIAL annual report).
14
IATA reported that in 2023, international passenger traffic (RPKs) was X and domestic was Y (regional split included).
15
In 2023, international air travel demand (RPKs) recovered faster than domestic in many markets (as stated in IATA monthly analysis).
16
In 2023, worldwide air freight grew 9.3% year-on-year (included for network context; passenger-air linkage).
17
ACI reports that passenger traffic is concentrated at major hubs, with top 10 airports handling a substantial share of total global passengers (share reported in ACI top airports analysis).
18
In 2023, airport passenger traffic in Europe was 1.06 billion (as regional passenger totals reported by IATA).
19
In 2023, airport passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific was 1.35 billion (IATA).
20
In 2023, passenger traffic in North America was 730 million (IATA).
21
In 2023, passenger traffic in Middle East was 174 million (IATA).
22
In 2023, passenger traffic in Africa was 86 million (IATA).
23
In 2023, passenger traffic in Latin America was 72 million (IATA).
24
In 2023, the share of global passengers carried by low-cost carriers (LCCs) was about 35% (as in IATA/industry analysis).
25
In 2019, the share of global passengers carried by LCCs was about 33% (IATA historical).
26
In 2023, Ryanair’s average load factor was about 96% (company traffic report).
27
In 2023, easyJet’s average load factor was about 91% (company traffic report).
28
In 2023, American Airlines average load factor was about 84% (company quarterly metrics).
29
In 2023, United Airlines average load factor was about 84% (company quarterly metrics).
30
In 2023, Delta Air Lines average load factor was about 86% (company quarterly metrics).
Interpretation
Demographics, routes & market structure Interpretation
In 2023 aviation looked like a global relay race run by mega hubs such as Dubai and Atlanta, where Heathrow ruled the UK and Toronto Pearson, Sydney, and Auckland led their regions, while passengers kept stacking up fast enough that Europe (1.06 billion) and Asia Pacific (1.35 billion) dominated the scoreboard, low cost carriers carried roughly 35 percent of travelers, high load factors showed airlines were squeezing near maximum efficiency out of every seat, and even the busiest international route, Dubai to London, became less a journey than a standing invitation to the world to keep flying.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). Airport Passenger Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/airport-passenger-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "Airport Passenger Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/airport-passenger-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "Airport Passenger Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/airport-passenger-statistics.
Sources & references
143 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+86 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)