Macau registered 6.7 million visitors during the 2024 summer, 93.4% of pre-pandemic levels

September 4, 2024 Macau Industry Updates

During the summer of 2024, Macau International Airport (MIA) saw a significant rise in passenger traffic and aircraft movements. According to data released by MIA on September 2, 2024, the airport handled 1.47 million passengers and recorded 10,881 aircraft movements between July and August. This marks a 28% increase in passenger numbers and a 30.2% rise in aircraft movements compared to the same period in 2023.

Despite this growth, passenger traffic remains below pre-pandemic levels. Compared to July and August 2019, MIA’s traffic has recovered to about 82% of its former volume. In 2019, the airport managed 1,787,851 passengers and 13,825 aircraft movements during these months.

Macau’s tourism sector has also seen a rebound. The city welcomed 6.7 million visitors during the summer vacation, marking an 11.7% increase from the previous year. This figure represents a recovery to 93.4% of the visitor levels seen in pre-pademic times in 2019, with a daily average of 107,764 tourist arrivals.

According to the Public Security Police Force, Macau’s border control points recorded a total of 37.8 million border crossings from July to August, reflecting a 12.5% increase from the same period last year and an 11.9% increase compared to 2019. The daily average of 609,794 trips surpasses pre-COVID levels.

In response to rising passenger demand, MIA is undertaking several initiatives. The airport plans to expand its international routes and improve connectivity through collaborations with airlines. Additionally, MIA will launch a “Double Anniversary Celebration and Lucky Draw Campaign” in October 2024, offering discounts and retail benefits to passengers.

Looking ahead, MIA will start preparations for a significant upgrade to its security checkpoint channels and immigration areas in the fourth quarter of 2024. The upgrade will involve redesigning these areas to optimize space, add more lanes, and reduce queuing times. This project aims to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency while adhering to current aviation safety standards. The bidding process for the upgrade is expected to conclude by the end of 2024, with construction set to begin early next year.