Mideast Drives Global Air Growth With 28% Surge

Air connectivity across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific has made a strong comeback in 2024, with the Middle East seeing a record 28 percent growth compared to 2023. This rise highlights a powerful recovery in international travel and airport activity. According to a new report from ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, this trend reflects the return of travel corridors, strong passenger demand, and large improvements in airport networks. The Asia-Pacific region also showed strong performance, with connectivity rising by 13 percent year-on-year.

The ACI Air Connectivity Ranking, developed with PwC, measures how well airports are connected based on flight volume, destination strength, and how easy it is for passengers to transfer. The latest data shows that air travel is not only back but growing faster than expected in many parts of the world. Overall, air connectivity in both the Middle East and Asia-Pacific rose by 14 percent compared to the previous year. This proves the resilience of the aviation sector and its ability to bounce back after the pandemic.

In the Asia-Pacific region, travel within the region is almost fully restored. Domestic and regional routes are only 0.2 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Travel between continents also rose by 4 percent. This means more people are flying between Asia and other parts of the world, especially Europe and the Middle East. The Middle East, however, went beyond recovery and entered a new growth phase. Flights within the region grew by 18 percent, while international routes from the Middle East grew by 16 percent above 2019 levels.

The report also shows that around 80 percent of the top 300 airports in both regions have returned to full or near-full connectivity. Larger airports led the way, especially those with strong international networks. Hubs like Dubai, Doha, Singapore, and Shanghai played key roles in bringing back global routes. With China’s reopening and expanded airline operations, more international flights have returned, supporting this growth.

Interestingly, the number of domestic city pairs dropped by 1 percent. This shift suggests that airlines are focusing more on international routes where demand and profits are higher. International city pairs, however, rose by 17 percent, showing that cross-border travel is back in full swing. The comeback is also clear in passenger traffic data. Travel from Asia-Pacific to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East has already passed 2019 levels. Travel to the Americas still lags behind but is slowly catching up.

The Middle East showed even stronger results. Passenger traffic from the region to Africa and Asia-Pacific grew well beyond pre-pandemic levels. Only travel to the Americas remains below 2019 figures. This performance is linked to the region’s role as a major hub for connecting flights and global commerce. Airports like Dubai International, Hamad International in Doha, and Abu Dhabi International have invested in upgrades and technology, helping to improve efficiency and passenger experience.

A new feature in the 2025 edition of the ACI report is the study of airport city clusters. These clusters are groups of airports in large metro areas that work together to serve millions of travelers. Cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, and the Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Macau cluster have shown how multiple airports can work as one system. This allows more flights and better routing options for travelers. Secondary airports in these clusters support the main hubs and help airlines add more routes without overcrowding.

Some cities also ranked high in terms of per capita accessibility. Places like Seoul, Bangkok, and Taipei offer strong air access compared to their population size. This means people in these cities enjoy more flight options and better international links than in other parts of the world. These trends highlight the importance of urban planning and investment in airport infrastructure.

The 2025 report also introduced the Hub Connectivity Index. This new measure looks at how well airports serve as transfer points for travelers. Dubai International came out on top, followed by Shanghai Pudong and Hamad International in Doha. These airports are known for offering many routes and short layover times, making them attractive for travelers and airlines alike.

Air connectivity is a key part of global economic growth. It allows people to move across borders easily, supports tourism, and helps businesses trade goods. In many countries, especially small or remote ones, air travel is the main way to connect with the outside world. As air traffic increases, airports must continue upgrading their facilities and using new technologies to handle more flights safely and efficiently.

Governments also play a role by making visa rules easier, promoting open skies agreements, and ensuring fair airport slot use. These policies help airlines grow and serve more destinations. At the same time, it is important not to ignore smaller communities that rely on air service for basic needs like healthcare, trade, and education.

The strong growth in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific marks a turning point for the global aviation industry. With travel numbers climbing, new hubs growing, and airport clusters forming, these regions are leading the next phase of global air travel. If current trends continue, they will become even more important for both passengers and global trade in the years ahead.