Surge in air passenger traffic boosts airport network performance
In Arabian Gulf region and Turkey
The Arabian Gulf region and Turkey are witnessing a remarkable surge in air passenger traffic, with key hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul experiencing robust growth. As these airports prepare for increased traveller numbers, the demand for reliable and high-performance cellular networks has never been more critical to enhancing the passenger experience.
In this context, the performance of mobile networks at the busiest airports in the region has become a key factor in shaping the overall journey, influencing everything from browsing and streaming to real-time communication and gaming.
According to Speedtest Intelligence data, Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi has emerged as a leader in mobile network performance, achieving top-tier mobile download speeds exceeding 450 Mbps. This fast connectivity enables passengers to enjoy seamless content consumption, whether streaming videos or browsing the web.
Meanwhile, Istanbul Airport (IST) stands out regarding upload speeds, offering an impressive 58.40 Mbps. This makes it especially ideal for travellers who need to upload content quickly, such as photos and videos.
In contrast, King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah shows a significant performance gap, struggling across all network metrics. JED has the highest latency and the lowest upload speeds, which can impact passenger satisfaction, especially for those relying on mobile services for real-time applications like video calls and online gaming.
Introducing 5G technology is also pivotal in enhancing regional network speeds. Istanbul Airport leads in 5G performance thanks to a dedicated 5G indoor network that delivers unmatched speeds.
The airport achieved a median download speed of 861.98 Mbps and an upload speed of 101.96 Mbps, significantly outperforming other regional airports. In the Gulf region, airports such as Hamad International (DOH) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International (AUH) follow closely behind, with impressive 5G download speeds surpassing 650 Mbps.
These advancements result from considerable infrastructure and network capacity investments by airport operators. With the continued growth in passenger numbers, high-speed, reliable mobile networks have become essential for improving airport facilities. The Gulf region, in particular, has emerged as a global travel hub, attracting millions of passengers annually, and airport operators are prioritising seamless mobile experiences for their customers.
As the region prepares for a busy year ahead, the importance of ensuring strong mobile connectivity cannot be overstated. Speedtest Intelligence benchmarks reveal that most regional airports provide a median download speed of at least 200 Mbps, ensuring an excellent online experience for passengers.
However, some airports still lag. For example, Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) in Istanbul and Muscat International Airport (MCT) offer sub-100 Mbps speeds, which could hinder passengers’ ability to enjoy the latest digital services at the airport.
The results also show that while download speeds are crucial for content consumption, upload speeds are just as necessary for sharing content. Istanbul International Airport stands out with the highest median upload speed of 58.40 Mbps, well ahead of its competitors. On the other hand, JED struggles with upload speeds, registering just 16.11 Mbps, among the region’s lowest.
Latency, which measures the time it takes for data to travel between a device and the network, is another critical factor affecting user experience. Most airports in the Gulf region and Turkey offer low latency, with many airports providing speeds under 40 ms. However, JED again performs poorly, with a latency of 89.98 ms, which could severely impact passengers’ experience with real-time applications like video conferencing and online gaming.
Looking towards the future, airports in the region are expected to continue expanding their infrastructure to meet the increasing demand. In 2023, the number of international arrivals into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached an impressive 73.64 million, and this figure is expected to soar further, with projections indicating a rise to 449 million passengers in 2024. This growth has led to significant investments in airport infrastructure, including constructing new terminals and upgrading existing ones to keep pace with the growing number of travellers.
In Turkey, the newly expanded Istanbul Airport, which started operations in 2018, is set to handle up to 120 million passengers annually by 2025, cementing its status as one of the world’s busiest airports. This infrastructure growth aligns with Turkey’s ambitious tourism goals, with visitors expected to reach 47.3 million by the end of 2024.
With this influx of travellers, airport network performance will be more critical than ever to enhance the overall passenger experience and set a new standard for airport facilities worldwide. The combination of cutting-edge technology, infrastructure investment, and a focus on seamless connectivity ensures that the Gulf region and Turkey will remain at the forefront of global travel in the coming years.
Image: Speedtest Intelligence benchmarks reveal that most regional airports provide a median download speed of at least 200 Mbps. Credit: Lisa Fotios
