SFO Sees International Growth Outpace Domestic Travel
San Francisco International Airport is experiencing strong international growth, surpassing pre-pandemic traffic levels even as domestic volumes remain below 2019 figures. According to SFO CFO and CCO Kevin Bumen, international passenger traffic in 2024 climbed nearly 10% above 2019 levels despite the airport operating at just half of its pre-pandemic China capacity. Bumen spoke at the American Association of Airport Executives conference in Atlanta, highlighting the airport’s post-pandemic recovery, which has been led primarily by international routes. Domestic traffic has been slower to rebound, rising only 1.1% year-over-year to 36.4 million passengers in 2024, while international traffic rose 12% to 15.8 million. In total, SFO handled 52.3 million passengers in 2024, a 4.1% increase over 2023.
SFO was one of the hardest-hit U.S. airports during the pandemic due to its heavy reliance on international and Asia-focused traffic. While reciprocal air rights with China have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, the airport has seen new competition and capacity on transpacific routes, especially from low-cost carriers. South Korea’s Air Premia launched four weekly Boeing 787 flights to SFO from Seoul Incheon in 2024. Japan Airlines’ subsidiary Zipair introduced daily Boeing 787 flights from Tokyo Narita, directly competing with All Nippon Airways, United, and its parent JAL. Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines also entered the market in late 2023, offering service between Taipei Taoyuan and SFO with its A350-900, later ramping up to daily service. Starlux now competes with Eva Air, China Airlines, and United on the Taipei route.
Bumen noted that these low-cost competitors have reshaped competition on key transpacific routes that were previously dominated by legacy carriers. The introduction of alternative business models has helped stimulate demand, resulting in more seats across the Pacific than before COVID-19. These changes have allowed SFO to maintain international growth despite the slow return of full China capacity.
Still, growing geopolitical tensions in the region remain a concern, especially regarding Taiwan. Taipei is SFO’s largest international market, and more than 38% of the airport’s international passengers fly to Asia, compared to 27% to Europe. Bumen acknowledged that a major disruption in the South China Sea could have serious implications for the airport’s transpacific network. SFO has conducted internal modeling to prepare for potential scenarios and is looking to diversify its long-haul network to mitigate risk, focusing on Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America for future growth.
Although international traffic continues to grow, SFO faces long-term growth constraints due to its limited physical footprint. Of the airport’s 5,100 acres, more than half are San Francisco Bay tidal waters, leaving little room for runway expansion. SFO currently operates four runways and estimates its maximum annual capacity at 500,000 aircraft movements. In 2024, there were 386,507 movements, roughly 77% of that maximum.
Bumen added that airlines are increasing efficiency by moving more passengers with fewer aircraft movements. Belly cargo capacity has also become an important factor in airline route planning, often determining the financial viability of international passenger flights.
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