February 16, 2025
TAP Air Portugal Sees North American & UK Market Growth in 2024

TAP Air Portugal Sees North American & UK Market Growth in 2024

TAP Air Portugal saw modest overall passenger growth in 2024, with a notable rise of 8.9% in the North American market and 6.1% in its UK network.
A TAP Air Portugal A330 lined up on the runway.
Photo Credit: TAP Air Portugal

TAP Air Portugal experienced a slight increase in passenger numbers in 2024, carrying 16.1 million travelers, a modest 1.6% rise compared to the previous year. While overall growth was moderate, the airline saw significant gains on certain routes, particularly across the Atlantic.

Transatlantic travel to North America (USA and Canada) witnessed the most substantial growth, with passenger numbers surging 8.9% to reach 1.59 million. This robust performance underscores the airline’s strength in the North American market.

The UK market also demonstrated healthy growth, with passenger numbers climbing 6.1% to 1.03 million. This positive trend highlights the continued demand for travel between Portugal and the United Kingdom.

Performance in Other Network Sectors


TAP’s signature routes to Brazil continued to break records, exceeding the two million passenger mark for the first time. This impressive 7.1% year-on-year increase solidifies the airline’s position as the leading carrier between Europe and Brazil.

While growth was evident on key routes, passenger numbers on flights to Africa dipped slightly by 0.1% to 1.1 million.

Domestically, TAP experienced positive growth. Passenger numbers on flights between Madeira and mainland Portugal increased by 3.3% to 983,000, while travel to and from the Azores saw a modest 1.3% increase, with 527,000 passengers carried.

Passenger numbers on European routes (excluding Portugal) saw a modest 0.9% increase, reaching 8.8 million.

2024 Operational Performance


TAP Air Portugal’s operational performance in 2024 was strong. The airline achieved a load factor of 82.3%, a 1.5 percentage point improvement over 2023. This indicates efficient utilization of aircraft capacity.

Seat capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), grew by 1.6% year-over-year. Revenue per passenger kilometer (RPK) also saw a healthy increase of 3.4%, suggesting improved revenue generation.

About TAP Air Portugal


TAP Air Portugal, a Star Alliance member since 2005, is Portugal’s leading airline with a rich history dating back to 1945. Operating from its hub in Lisbon, TAP offers a strategic gateway to Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The airline boasts a modern fleet comprising primarily Airbus aircraft, renowned for their efficiency and reduced emissions. TAP also operates a regional fleet of Embraer aircraft.

Key Strengths & Awards

TAP has consistently been recognized for its excellence in air travel. Notably, the airline has been awarded “Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa” and “Europe’s Leading Airline to South America” by the World Travel Awards for several consecutive years, most recently in 2024.

Future Outlook


Several factors likely contributed to TAP’s positive performance in 2024. The global recovery from the pandemic undoubtedly played a crucial role, with pent-up travel demand driving passenger numbers across many routes.

TAP’s strategic focus on key markets, particularly North America and South America, coupled with its modern fleet and strong customer service, likely further enhanced its competitive advantage.

Looking ahead, TAP Air Portugal looks to be well set to make continued gains in growth. The airline’s expanding network, coupled with its focus on customer experience and operational efficiency, will be crucial in navigating the evolving aviation landscape.

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