Global air journey forecasted to succeed in 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, nearing the historic 10 billion milestone

International journey drives progress; variations amongst areas persist

Montreal, 30 September 2025 – Global air journey is projected to succeed in 9.8 billion passengers for 2025 in keeping with Airports Council International (ACI) World’s newly launched World Airport Traffic Report (WATR). While worldwide journey is driving progress, regional disparities and medium-term challenges sign a diverse outlook.

ACI World’s flagship annual report attracts from over 2,800 airports throughout greater than 185 international locations and territories, providing essentially the most in depth overview of the worldwide airport business.

ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci mentioned: “Air travel is on track to reach 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, underscoring aviation’s role as a driver of global mobility and economic growth. International travel remains the main engine of growth, but regional variations reflect a mix of structural strengths, policy challenges, and evolving travel patterns. To sustain air travel demand globally, regulators must foster policies and frameworks that enable improved connectivity, long-term resilience and sustainable growth.”

Read about ACI’s latest international advocacy.

Global highlights

• 2025 international passenger site visitors is projected to succeed in 9.8 billion passengers, reflecting a 3.7% Year-on-Year (YoY) progress from 2024.
• International site visitors is anticipated to develop 5.3% in 2025, in comparison with 2.4% for home site visitors.
• By mid-2025 Year-to-Date (YTD), international passenger site visitors was up 2.1% YoY; worldwide site visitors grew 4.9% YoY, whereas home site visitors contracted 0.7% YoY.

Regional highlights

• Africa: Forecasted to succeed in 273 million passengers in 2025 (+9.4% YoY), led by Northern Africa and boosted by tourism and rising middle-class demand.
• Asia-Pacific: Forecasted to succeed in 3.6 billion passengers in 2025 (+5.6% YoY), with Southern and Southeast Asia driving progress; East Asia`s outlook stays cautious.
• Europe: Forecasted to succeed in over 2.5 billion passengers in 2025 (+3.6% YoY); worldwide journey main progress, whereas home volumes lag as a result of rail good points.
• Latin America–Caribbean: Forecasted to succeed in 789 million passengers in 2025 (+4.1% YoY); momentum supported by leisure demand and low-cost service enlargement.
• Middle East: Forecasted to succeed in 466 million passengers in 2025 (+5.9% YoY); underpinned by funding and tourism, although dangers from geopolitical instability stay.
• North America: Forecasted to succeed in 2.1 billion passengers in 2025.

Expanding aviation market, diverse trajectories

Global passenger site visitors continues to develop inconsistently throughout areas, reflecting a mixture of structural strengths, coverage challenges, and evolving journey patterns. Emerging aviation markets corresponding to in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America are driving progress, supported by rising demand and a rising presence of low-cost carriers.

In distinction, superior aviation markets—together with elements of East Asia, Europe, and North America—face a extra unsure outlook amid geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts (corresponding to ageing in some areas), and adjustments in traveller behaviour (corresponding to uncertainty in journey and visa insurance policies).

Overall, the worldwide aviation market is increasing, however its trajectory stays delicate to geopolitical occasions, macroeconomic situations and region-specific headwinds.

For extra in-depth evaluation entry the ACI World Advisory Bulletin: Biannual international air journey demand replace.

About ACI 

Airports Council International (ACI), the commerce affiliation of the world’s airports, is a federated group comprising ACI World, ACI Africa, ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, ACI EUROPE, ACI Latin America and the Caribbean and ACI North America. In representing the very best pursuits of airports throughout key phases of coverage growth, ACI makes a major contribution towards guaranteeing a world air transport system that’s secure, safe, environment friendly, and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2025, ACI serves 830 members, working 2,181 airports in 170 international locations.

Editor notes

1. The ACI World Airport Traffic Report, 2025 attracts from over 2,800 airports throughout greater than 185 international locations and territories, providing essentially the most in depth overview of the worldwide airport business and aviation markets for the working yr 2024 and the primary half of 2025. It consists of full rankings for passenger, cargo, and plane site visitors.

2. Read the ACI World Advisory Bulletin: Biannual international air journey demand replace.

3. ACI World’s definition of the Europe area follows the markets listed within the World Airport Traffic Report (WATR). ACI EUROPE’s definition is predicated on its membership.