Install and use FS Traffic in MSFS 2024: set up both packages, disable conflicting AI traffic, generate schedules and fix missing aircraft.
Install FS Traffic in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with the MSFS 2024-compatible installer, making sure both its traffic module and aircraft fleet reach the correct Community folder. Disable the simulator’s native AI traffic, load at your departure airport, open the FS Traffic toolbar panel, enter the destination ICAO and generate traffic.
What must be installed for FS Traffic to work?
FS Traffic needs both its injection module and aircraft fleet; installing only one component produces either no toolbar controls or no visible aircraft. Exact package labels can differ between installer builds, but their roles remain the same.
| Component | Purpose | Required during a flight? |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic module | Creates and manages scheduled AI traffic inside MSFS 2024 | Yes |
| Aircraft fleet or model package | Provides the AI aircraft models, airline liveries and associated data | Yes |
| Traffic Control Centre | Changes model, airline and livery assignments | No; the default configuration works without opening it |
The most common installation mistake we see is keeping the small traffic module while overlooking the much larger fleet package.
How do I install FS Traffic in MSFS 2024?
- Download the compatible build. Use the installer provided in the account through which you bought FS Traffic. If separate MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 builds are offered, choose the 2024 build; do not assume an older installer is compatible merely because its files can be copied.
- Close Microsoft Flight Simulator. Also close any add-on linker or utility that could lock or redirect the Community folder.
- Select MSFS 2024 as the target. Let the installer detect the simulator, then verify the packages location if you use a custom installation or moved MSFS to another drive. Our explanation of how the MSFS 2024 Community folder and package structure work covers the location checks.
- Install every supplied FS Traffic component. The module and fleet must belong to the same compatible release. Avoid leaving a second, older copy in another linked Community folder.
- Start MSFS 2024 and load a flight. Look for the FS Traffic entry on the in-sim toolbar. There is no need to customise the Traffic Control Centre before the first test.
If FS Traffic was bought through the in-sim Marketplace on a supported platform, install and manage that copy through My Library instead. Do not install a desktop and Marketplace copy together.
Which MSFS traffic settings should I disable?
FS Traffic should be the only system injecting airline AI aircraft during the flight.
- Native aircraft traffic: turn off MSFS live traffic and AI-generated traffic. FS Traffic injects its own aircraft independently.
- Ground aircraft: set any Ground Aircraft Density control to 0. Otherwise, generic parked aircraft can occupy gates needed by FS Traffic.
- Other traffic injectors: close them before loading the flight. Another model library can remain installed, but two active injectors will create duplicates and gate conflicts.
- Multiplayer: this can remain enabled, but disable it while troubleshooting so online pilots are not mistaken for injected traffic.
For the exact controls and conflict checks, see our guide to disabling built-in and external MSFS traffic sources safely. FS Traffic supplies aircraft and schedules; it does not guarantee that the simulator’s ATC will sequence every injected flight correctly.
How do I use FS Traffic on each flight?
- Create the flight normally. Choose the departure airport, destination and a parking stand or gate. Loading at the gate before generating traffic reduces the chance of an AI aircraft taking your position.
- Open the FS Traffic toolbar panel. Wait until the airport and aircraft have finished loading if the panel initially appears unresponsive.
- Enter the destination ICAO code. Use the four-letter code, such as
EGLLorKJFK, rather than a three-letter airport abbreviation. This allows the add-on to prepare traffic around the arrival airport. - Generate or refresh traffic. Use the panel’s generation control and select a sensible traffic amount. The airport, simulator time and installed schedule determine which flights appear, so a small regional airport may legitimately remain quiet.
- Update major changes. If you alter the destination or move the simulator clock substantially, update the panel and regenerate traffic so it is working from the new flight conditions.
The Traffic Control Centre is mainly for changing aircraft and livery assignments. It is not normally the control used to inject each flight, and it need not remain open while MSFS is running.
Is FS Traffic live or schedule-based traffic?
FS Traffic is primarily schedule-driven traffic, not a live tracking feed. Its aircraft represent movements from its installed schedule database at the selected simulator time rather than the exact aircraft flying in the real world at that moment.
This makes airline activity predictable and avoids dependence on a continuous live-data connection. If live tracking is a priority, our comparison of schedule-based and live AI traffic systems explains the trade-offs, but only one injector should run at a time.
Why is FS Traffic not showing aircraft?
| Symptom | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| No FS Traffic toolbar entry | The traffic module is in the wrong Community folder, disabled, nested inside an extra folder or incompatible with the installed simulator build. Verify the path, remove duplicate copies and restart MSFS. |
| Panel opens but no aircraft appear | Confirm the destination ICAO, use the generate or refresh control and test at an airport and time with scheduled movements. Also confirm that the module and fleet are matching versions. |
| Aircraft are invisible, blank or use unexpected models | The fleet package is absent, incomplete or an edited assignment refers to a model that is not installed. Repair the fleet installation and restore default assignments for testing. |
| Duplicate aircraft or blocked gates | Native live traffic, AI traffic, ground aircraft or another injector is still active. Disable the competing source rather than merely reducing its density. |
| Traffic causes stutters or poor frame rate | Reduce the number of generated aircraft and the traffic radius or density before lowering unrelated graphics settings. AI aircraft consume processor time as well as memory. |
| Departure works but the destination is empty | The destination ICAO may not have been accepted before generation, or the flight destination changed afterwards. Re-enter it and refresh traffic before arrival. |
Can FS Traffic be installed on Xbox or PlayStation 5?
A Windows FS Traffic installer cannot be installed on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro because consoles do not expose the Community folder or run external configuration applications. Console users can only install an edition explicitly offered for their platform through the in-sim Marketplace; desktop packages cannot be sideloaded.