ACI World: Global airport revenue up 6.2% in 2017, to USD172bn

Airports Council International (ACI) World published (28-Mar-2019) its 2017 edition of the ACI Airport Economics Report, finding "a strong industry performance underpinned by continued growth in global trade and air service demand". The report covers data from more than 900 airports representing 78% of worldwide passenger traffic. Key facts and trends have emerged:

• Global airport revenues grew 6.2% to reach USD172.2 billion while passenger traffic grew 7.5%. The revenue was comprised 55.8% aeronautical revenue, 39.9% non-aeronautical revenue and 4.3% non-operating revenue;
• 55% of every aeronautical dollar was generated from passenger-related charges;
• The total cost per passenger for airports (USD13.69) exceeded global aeronautical revenues per passenger (USD9.95) illustrating the importance of non-aeronautical revenues for airports' financial sustainability;
• Industry return on invested capital stood at 7.4%;
• 80% of airports in the world have fewer than a million passengers p/a and 94% of these airports are loss-making;
• Retail concessions remain the largest source of non-aeronautical revenue for airports at 30.2%. Car parking revenue and property revenue/rent are the second and third largest sources of non-aeronautical revenues at 20.1% and 15.0% respectively;
• Europe's largest aviation markets continue to make positive strides in passenger traffic, the region achieving a record-breaking 8.8% annual growth in 2017. Strong overall business and consumer confidence, coupled with low fares from many carriers, stimulated demand and boosted the propensity for air travel in the region. [more - original PR]