Curaçao International Airport Celebrates Strong Growth in 2023

Curaçao Airport Partners NV (CAP) recently announced impressive year-end results for passenger traffic at Curaçao International Airport in 2023. The total passenger movements, encompassing arrivals and departures, reached 1,707,889, marking a significant 17% increase compared to the previous year-end in 2022. Notably, this growth extends further, with a remarkable 18% increase when compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

This growth can be attributed to Curaçao International Airport’s strategic efforts to enhance seat capacity. Collaborating with airline partners, the airport achieved a total capacity of 2,111,140 seats (in- and outbound) in 2023, marking an 11% increase over the previous year. The average load factor also saw a commendable 4-point growth, reaching 84%.

Successful Diversification Strategy Post-Covid
In the aftermath of the pandemic, CAP focused on recovery and revamped its short-term strategy, placing emphasis on route network retention and diversification. The primary regions targeted for growth were South America and the USA. Positive responses from public and private tourism initiatives, coupled with an increase in room inventory, contributed to the successful execution of this strategy, resulting in the recovery of passenger traffic in 2022 and substantial growth in 2023.

Market Share Distribution and New Air Service Developments
The 2023 passenger traffic market share exhibited a well-distributed pattern, with The Netherlands holding a 37% share, Dutch Caribbean at 17%, the USA at 20%, South America at 16%, and Canada at 4%.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Curaçao International Airport witnessed significant developments in air services. Notable highlights include increased service from the Amsterdam gateway, featuring non-stop flights by Corendon Airlines and expanded offerings by TUI and The Royal Dutch KLM. From the USA, despite challenges, JetBlue and American Airlines increased their non-stop services, contributing to the airport’s growing connectivity. The Canadian market also saw improvements with increased service from Air Canada and WestJet.

South America experienced additional flights, with Copa Airlines and Avianca boosting their non-stop services, and Azul Airlines launching their extremely vital non-stop service from Brazil, marking a significant achievement for Curaçao.

Dutch Caribbean demand also increased, primarily driven by inter-travel for familial, business, and social reasons. Curaçao International Airport’s robust route network is currently supported by nineteen airline partners and twenty-three gateways.

Outlook for 2024 – A Record-Breaking Year
Looking ahead to 2024, Curaçao International Airport anticipates continued growth, aiming for a moderate 6% increase in passenger traffic. Despite geopolitical tensions and ongoing industry challenges, CAP remains vigilant. The focus for 2024 will be on route network retention, ensuring contained traffic growth, and sustaining the airport’s commitment to efficiency, safety, and security. CAP continues to work closely with public and private tourism partners to foster sustainable and profitable growth for Curaçao.

Source: curacaochronicle.com