The project, recently initiated, will be carried out in phases, with completion expected by 2030. By then, MIA will have a total usable area of 325 hectares and double its annual passenger capacity, according to projections from the Macau International Airport Company (CAM). The airport is expected to handle 15 million passengers annually, up from the 7.7 million anticipated in 2024.
Nicky Leong, a tourism sector analyst and specialist in community engagement, explains to PLATAFORMA that the airport currently manages an average of 80 daily flights. This means that even before the expansion, there is substantial room to increase passenger numbers, particularly from neighboring regions. For instance, in 2024, the registered passenger volume is expected to reach only 80% of pre-pandemic levels—9.6 million, according to official estimates.
When projecting medium- and long-term operational growth, Leong argues that the influx of tourists from mainland China must be balanced with an international tourism flow. At the same time, the airport must improve the travel options available to local residents. Regarding the ongoing expansion plans, he notes they “lack sufficient detail and clarity.”
What is certain is that “there is potential for growth in tourism from various cities in mainland China,” Leong acknowledges. “This requires collaboration with the Central Government to streamline tourist visa applications for the Macau SAR. Success in this area could significantly boost this flow and benefit the local economy,” he argues. Currently, the challenge is to “attract more international airlines,” with Macau’s Tourism Bureau tasked with actively promoting Macau as a travel destination outside Greater China. However, “the absence of new airlines announcing flights to Macau is a critical concern and hinders efforts to attract international visitors. Without improved international connectivity, the potential of the expansion will not be realized,” Leong concludes.
Too Late Already
Don Dioko, professor at the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) in Macau and director of its Tourism Research Center, considers the airport’s expansion “welcome” but argues that it “should have been implemented long ago.” In his view, shared with PLATAFORMA, he emphasizes that expanding the airport is crucial to maintaining competitive parity with the rapid growth in the Greater Bay Area. However, he stresses that beyond increasing infrastructure capacity, ensuring a smooth and efficient passenger experience is critical. “Ultimately, it’s the passenger experience that makes airports competitive. Bigger airports are not always better, especially when delays are frequent,” he points out.
Several expansion projects underway at other regional airports will also significantly increase competitive pressure on MIA. With the imminent completion of its third runway, Hong Kong International Airport will increase its capacity to 120 million passengers—a number Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport aims to achieve by 2025, once its new terminal is completed. Meanwhile, the neighboring Zhuhai Jinwan Airport is set to increase its capacity to 27 million passengers following its expansion, expected to be completed next year.
Leong recalls that Macau previously captured a segment of the mainland Chinese market that, for some time, was restricted from international travel. However, the post-pandemic landscape has drastically altered this scenario. MIA currently operates 41 routes, about 90% of the routes offered before the pandemic. Of these, 23 routes are to destinations within mainland China, three to Taiwan, and 15 divided among Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Despite the potential for increased tourism from mainland China, Leong raises concerns about the lack of planning for outbound travel options for residents. He cites, for example, previous Air Macau routes to Fukuoka and Hokkaido, which have not yet been reinstated.
Air Macau’s Dependency
Reliance on a single airline, such as Air Macau, also “raises public concerns about stagnation in development,” Leong comments. Additionally, “uncertainty remains regarding future investments by other airlines, as the relatively small size of the regional market may discourage potential investors without clear profit projections.”
In April, Air Macau announced its adoption of the Airbus A330-300, the first aircraft of this model with greater passenger capacity and range to be introduced into its fleet. At the time, the flag carrier stated its intention to acquire a second wide-body aircraft in the second half of the year to operate medium- and long-haul routes and add destinations in the Middle East as part of efforts to expand its European network.
However, the move to acquire the new aircraft “does not appear to have been successful,” Leong concludes, pointing to empty seats that have led to “speculations about route cancellations, including those offered to Turkey.” The analyst argues that the development of medium- and long-haul flights connecting through Macau is a strategy that “faces challenges.” However, he believes a “viable market with competitive pricing and diverse flight options could help restore Macau’s competitive edge.”
