Genève Aéroport leaves the Covid years in the rearview mirror. In 2024, Cointrin has practically returned to the passenger level of 2019 and should even exceed it in 2025. The number of flights has, however, decreased compared to the period before the pandemic.
In 2024, Genève Aéroport welcomed 17.8 million passengers, a figure up 8.0% compared to 2023, a press release indicated on Thursday. The total number of landings and takeoffs reached 179,106 movements, 3.6% more than the previous year.
Financial incentives to fill planes
Last year, the increase in the number of passengers was significantly higher than that in the number of movements, due to the use of larger aircraft and an increasing occupancy rate. Genève Aéroport has also adopted a financial policy encouraging airlines to increase the occupancy rate per plane.
Compared to 2019, the number of passengers is 0.7% lower and the number of aircraft movements down 3.7%. During this pre-Covid year, Cointrin recorded 17.9 million passengers and 186,043 movements. For 2025, the airport confirms its forecasts, where the overall level of passenger traffic is expected to exceed that of 2019.
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-Furthermore, service to Genève Aéroport, which had 148 destinations in 2023, remains stable with 146 destinations in 2024.
The year 2024 also marks a strong recovery in air freight. Genève Aéroport handled 90,705 tonnes of goods last year, compared to 63,951 tonnes in 2023, an increase of 41.8%. The growth of online commerce notably contributed to this result.
Reduction of late flights
In 2024, Genève Aéroport also tested a program of measures intended to reduce late takeoffs. Solutions designed to reduce nighttime flights and the associated noise pollution. According to the airport, many companies have modified their rotations and flight plans and adjusted their flight schedules between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. contributing to a drop in takeoffs after 10 p.m. of 36.16% compared to 2023. Since January 1, a system of dissuasive fees, based on a noise quota, came into force. For each late flight (after 10 p.m.), the companies start their quota and once that is exhausted, they must pay sums ranging from 5,000 to 40,000 francs.
