- Florida’s Growth Ranking: Florida experienced the fifth largest state-wide surge in holiday air travel traffic, increasing by 12.2%.
- National Recovery: US holiday air travel averaged nearly 2.6 million daily passengers in 2024, successfully surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
- Small Airport Success: The smallest nonhub nonprimary airports recorded the largest percentage increase in holiday traffic, soaring by 20.1%.
- Infrastructure Support: The Airport Infrastructure Grant program is investing $14.5 billion to upgrade airport infrastructure and manage increased passenger demand
A recent study analyzing 2024 holiday travel patterns reveals an encouraging and significant surge in passenger traffic across US airports, demonstrating a powerful recovery in air travel to levels exceeding those seen before the pandemic. The analysis identifies which airports and states experience the steepest holiday increases, with positive findings for major tourist regions and smaller hubs. Overall US holiday travel in 2024 averaged nearly 2.6 million daily passengers, surpassing the 2019 average of 2.4 million, confirming that 2025 is poised to be another record-breaking year.
Florida airports, in particular, are celebrating this success, recording the fifth largest surge in daily passenger traffic of any state during the 2024 holiday season. Daily passenger volume in Florida climbed by a fantastic 12.2% during the holidays compared to non-holiday periods, with an average of 342,730 daily passengers. This growth highlights the Sunshine State’s enduring appeal as a top holiday destination. Major Florida airports, including Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Tampa (TPA), and Miami (MIA), saw substantial individual increases, with FLL topping the list of large hubs with a remarkable 17.3% surge.
Furthermore, the study indicates that smaller airports are experiencing the most dramatic percentage increases, suggesting regional travel and local connections are flourishing. The smallest nonhub nonprimary airports saw a fantastic 20.1% rise in traffic, signaling strong decentralized growth. This increase in demand is being supported by critical infrastructure investments, such as the Airport Infrastructure Grant program, which is dedicating $14.5 billion to support terminal expansions and upgrades, ensuring airports are ready to welcome the growing number of flyers.
