Frankfurt Airport (FRA) experienced a significant boost in passenger numbers during November 2024, signaling a robust recovery within the global aviation sector. Fraport AG, the airport’s operator, reported a 4.2% increase in passenger traffic compared to the same period last year, reaching approximately 4.6 million travelers. This positive trend reflects a broader recovery in international air travel after the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
While this represents a healthy increase compared to November 2023, passenger numbers at FRA still lag behind pre-crisis levels by approximately 8.4% (when compared to November 2019). Aircraft movements, however, experienced a slight decrease of 1.4%, totaling 34,828 takeoffs and landings. Similarly, the total maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) dipped by 0.6%, reaching around 2.2 million metric tons. These variations suggest a potential shift in the types of aircraft and flight operations at the airport.
The performance of other airports within the Fraport Group’s global network paints a more diverse picture. In Slovenia, Ljubljana Airport (LJU) saw a modest decline of 2.1%, serving 89,868 passengers. The Brazilian airports of Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA) experienced a more substantial 12.6% decrease, primarily attributed to the temporary suspension of operations at POA due to severe flooding from May 3rd to October 20th. Since October 21st, POA has gradually resumed operations, and its recovery will be a key factor to watch in the coming months.
Conversely, several airports showcased remarkable growth. Lima Airport (LIM) in Peru reported an impressive 10.1% increase, welcoming approximately 2.1 million passengers. The 14 Greek regional airports managed by Fraport saw an even more substantial surge of 11.6%, serving 876,317 travelers. This highlights the strong recovery in tourism across the Greek Islands. In contrast, the Twin Star airports of Burgas (BOJ) and Varna (VAR) in Bulgaria experienced a notable 14.8% decline, with 71,015 passengers recorded. Finally, Antalya Airport (AYT) on the Turkish Riviera exhibited robust growth, showcasing a 16.3% increase with around 1.7 million passengers.
In conclusion, Fraport’s November 2024 figures present a complex yet generally positive outlook for the aviation industry’s recovery. While Frankfurt Airport itself remains slightly below pre-pandemic passenger numbers, the overall performance of the Fraport Group’s network, particularly the robust growth in various international locations, signifies significant progress and points toward a continued upswing in global air travel.
