Global air traffic - number of flights 2004-2024

Published by Statista Research Department, Oct 11, 2024

The number of flights performed globally by the airline industry has increased steadily since the early 2000s and reached 38.9 million in 2019. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of flights dropped to 18.3 million in 2020. The flight volume increased again in the following years and was forecasted to reach 38.7 million in 2024. 

The global airline industry

The number of flights performed increased year-on-year continuously to transport both passengers and freight. The industry’s recent growth can be attributed to a combination of increasing living standards and decreasing costs of air travel. While North American and European airlines currently dominate in terms of both revenue and passengers flown, it is predicted that future growth will be highest in markets of Asia.

Number of flights performed by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2023, with a forecast for 2024 (in millions)

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Release date

May 2024

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2004 to 2024

Supplementary notes

* Estimate
** Forecast
Figures prior to 2019 were taken from previous reports.

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