Over 8.5M travellers expected to land in Macau in 2025; jackpot for casinos?

February 13, 2025

Over 8.5M travellers expected to land in Macau in 2025; jackpot for casinos?

Macau International Airport (MIA) is expecting a significant increase in passenger traffic for 2025, projecting a total of 8.5 million travellers. This optimistic outlook is bolstered by the introduction of new flight routes, notably two additional weekly services between Macau and Cheongju, South Korea, commencing in April. The airport also forecasts handling 65,000 flights and managing 1,13,000 tonnes of cargo throughout the year.

In 2024, MIA experienced substantial growth, with passenger numbers reaching 7.64 million—a 48 percent increase compared to 2023. Aircraft movements also saw a substantial rise, totalling 59,000, which marks a 41 percent uptick from the previous year. Cargo volumes were not left behind, mounting by approximately 70 percent to 1,08,000 tonnes.

As of the end of 2024, MIA hosted 27 airlines operating 41 domestic and international routes. These included flights to 23 cities in mainland China, three in Taiwan, and 15 destinations across Southeast and Northeast Asia. The airport’s revenue for the year amounted to $184 million (€171 million), reflecting a 5.1 percent increase year-on-year and recovering to 81 percent of its 2019 revenue.

170,000 passengers during CNY

The positive trajectory continued into early 2025, with MIA experiencing a significant surge in passenger traffic during the Chinese New Year festivities. From 29 January 2025 to 4 February 2025, over 1,70,000 travellers passed through the airport, marking a 5.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Flight movements during this time also rose to 1,265, reflecting a 6.7 percent growth.

The airport is also undergoing an ambitious expansion aimed at enhancing its capacity and facilities by 2030.
For the unaware, Macau authorities plan to reclaim over 129 hectares of land, thereby increasing the airport’s total area to 325 hectares. Upon completion, the annual passenger handling capacity is expected to rise to 13 million, with potential for further expansion to 15 million.

Expansion plans for airport

The expansion will be executed in phases, with the construction of two new taxiways planned for 2027. Following their completion, existing taxiways will be dismantled in 2028. The entire project is slated for completion by 2030, providing ample space for the airport’s future development.

Eric Fong, Director of CAM’s Marketing Department, has indicated that the airport will continue to introduce preferential policies for international flights this year. These measures are designed to encourage airlines to operate specific routes and attract more international passengers.