The airport welcomed a total of 30.9 million travellers, a nearly 10 pc increase compared to 2023
With close to 31 million passengers for the first time since 2019, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) marked a significant milestone in 2024. This achievement underscores the airport’s continued growth and solidifies its role as a key hub for both domestic and international travel.
In a press statement, PHL says that the airport welcomed a total of 30.9 million travellers, a nearly 10 pc increase compared to 2023. It says that more than 3.8 million of these passengers flew internationally, highlighting a resurgence in global travel.
The statement adds that the summer months saw the highest volume, with 9.1 million passengers travelling between June and August, including 3.1 million in July and 3 million in August.
PHL says that this marked the first time since 2019 that the airport had surpassed 3 million passengers in a single month. It adds that the growth was fuelled by several factors, including major events such as WrestleMania and the launch of new international routes by American Airlines to Copenhagen, Naples, and Nice.
According to the statement, in addition to passenger growth, the airport saw an increase in total plane movements, with 319,938 movements recorded in 2024, up 8.6 pc from the previous year. Domestic passengers accounted for the largest share of traffic, totalling over 27 million, while international travel grew by 6.5 pc year-over-year.
Atif Saeed
The statement adds that meanwhile, Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), which handles general aviation, reported 122,186 plane movements in 2024, a 6.6 pc increase from 2023. PNE remains a key facility for private and corporate aviation, flight training, and aircraft manufacturing.
“We knew going into 2024 that it would be an exciting year for PHL, with the city hosting events like WrestleMania and American Airlines launching new international service to Copenhagen, Naples and Nice. We surpassed our 2023 passenger total by November,” says Atif Saeed, CEO, Philadelphia Department of Aviation.
“This year will be even more eventful. In June, Aeroméxico will join our airline partners and begin year-round daily service to Mexico City and also this summer, American will introduce seasonal service to Milan and Edinburgh. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 matches at Lincoln Financial Field and the United States Navy’s and Marine Corps’ Homecoming 250 celebration will bring even more guests to PHL,” Saeed adds.
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