February 16, 2025
Changi Airport Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels with Strong Recovery in 2024

Changi Airport Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels with Strong Recovery in 2024

Singapore's Changi Airport enjoyed further growth in 2024, handling 67.7 million passengers and marking a near return to pre-pandemic levels.
View across Singapore Changi Airport
Photo Credit: Changi Airport

Singapore’s Changi Airport enjoyed further growth in 2024, handling 67.7 million passengers.  The airport has now reached 99.1% of pre-pandemic traffic volumes.

The rise in passenger footfall represented a significant 14.8% increase from the previous year. The airport’s operational metrics showed strong performance across all areas, with 366,000 aircraft movements marking an 11.5% growth compared to 2023.

Airfreight throughput reached a substantial 1.99 million tonnes, marking a 14.6% improvement over the previous year.

Changi Airport 2024 Performance


The final quarter of 2024 proved particularly noteworthy in the airport’s recovery journey, with passenger movements reaching 17.8 million. This surpassed 2023 figures by 10.7% and achieving full recovery compared to 2019 levels.

Aircraft movements during this period totalled 95,300, while airfreight throughput hit 521,000 tonnes. This represented increases of 9.3% and 15.0% respectively. These figures underscore the airport’s successful return to pre-pandemic operational levels.

December a Standout Month

December emerged as the standout month in Changi’s calendar, welcoming 6.4 million passengers – the highest monthly traffic since December 2019.

The peak occurred on December 21, when a record-breaking 226,000 travelers passed through the terminals on the Saturday before Christmas, highlighting the robust return of holiday travel.

Photo Credit: Singapore Changi Airport

Growth Regions and Markets

North Asia led regional growth with a remarkable 40% increase compared to 2023, demonstrating the region’s strong recovery and growing importance.

The airport’s top five passenger markets were China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand, reflecting the continued significance of both regional and long-haul connections.

China dominated as the largest source market, with nearly double the passengers from 2023 and exceeding pre-Covid numbers by 6%. Hong Kong and Japan also showed impressive growth trajectories, each expanding by more than 20%.

Busiest Routes

The busiest routes centered around key Asian destinations. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), and Hong Kong, reinforced Singapore’s position as a crucial regional hub.

Notably, Shanghai made a triumphant return to the top 10 cities list for the first time since 2011, showing exceptional 94% growth over the previous year.

Cargo Operations

Cargo operations witnessed comprehensive growth across all flows, bolstered by increased activity with China and the United States.

The improvement stemmed from multiple factors: Singapore’s recovering electronics sector, rising e-commerce demand, and a strategic shift from sea to air freight due to maritime disruptions. China, Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, and India emerged as the top cargo markets, demonstrating the diverse nature of Changi’s freight operations.

Changi Welcomes New Airlines


Changi Airport Group CEO Yam Kum Weng emphasized the significant expansion in connectivity, with 11 new city links established in 2024.

The airport welcomed eight new passenger airlines – Aero Dili, AirAsia Cambodia, Air Canada, Air Japan, Loong Air, Peach Aviation, Tianjin Airlines, and West Air.

In addition to new passenger airlines, the year saw two new freighter carriers join the fold. This served to further strengthen Singapore’s position as a major aviation hub.

Exterior view of Singapore Changi Airport
Photo Credit: Changi Airport

Looking Ahead


Looking ahead to 2025, the airport continues to expand its network with ambitious plans. New routes to Labuan Bajo and Vienna are scheduled to launch in March and June respectively, further enhancing the airport’s global reach.

As of January 2025, Changi Airport serves an extensive network of 163 cities across 49 countries and territories, with 100 airlines operating over 7,400 weekly flights.

The impressive growth trajectory reflects Changi’s unwavering commitment to enhancing its infrastructure and services. It has positioned itself well to meet the rising demand for air travel in the Asia-Pacific region.

Through strategic partnerships and continuous development, the airport maintains its status as a premier global aviation hub, ready to tackle future challenges and opportunities in the aviation sector.

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