Global airport passenger traffic reaches record 9.8 billion in 2025, Airports Council International World reports

2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report also points to record cargo and aircraft movements in 2025, and a slowdown taking hold in 2026

Montréal, 23 September 2026 – Global airports carried a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) World reported today, while air cargo volumes also reached an all-time high. But momentum has cooled in 2026, with passenger growth slowing amid mounting geopolitical and economic headwinds, even as cargo continues to expand.

The figures, published in ACI World’s 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report (WATR), draw on data from 2,817 commercial airports worldwide – ACI World’s largest dataset to date – capturing an estimated 97% of scheduled global passenger traffic and offering the most comprehensive picture yet of how the world moves through its airports.  

“The 2025 results confirm what this industry has shown year after year: long-term demand for air travel remains strong, and more capacity will be needed,” said Justin Erbacci, ACI World’s Director General. “Meeting that demand means expanding capacity while getting far more out of the infrastructure we already have. It also means advocating for regulation that enables investment rather than blocking it and never losing sight of the fact that airports are strategic assets for their communities.” 

Air cargo reached a record 131.2 million tonnes over the year, while aircraft movements climbed to 103.1 million.  

Yet the headline numbers mask a more unsettled picture emerging in 2026. Geopolitical tensions, airspace disruption and rising costs have begun to reshape the industry’s near-term outlook, the report warns. 

2025: the year in numbers 

International travel drove the growth, with passenger traffic up 6.1%, comfortably outpacing domestic growth of 1.7%. Global air cargo rose 3.3%, while aircraft movements increased 2.0%. 

Passenger growth was strong across almost every region. Africa led the way with a 9.0% rise in traffic, followed by the Middle East (6.5%), Asia-Pacific (5.1%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (4.5%). Europe also posted solid growth, at 4.2%. North America was the exception, with traffic dipping 0.7% amid softer domestic demand. 

2026 so far: turbulence beneath the surface 

The opening months of this year have told a more complicated story. Global passenger traffic reached approximately 4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, up just 0.6% on the same period last year, a marked slowdown from 2025’s pace. 

Growth persisted across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific, while North America remained largely flat. The Middle East saw the sharpest decline, with traffic down 21%, as the region bore the impact of the escalating crisis and airspace disruption. 

Yet for all the near-term volatility, the report’s underlying message is one of confidence: the long-run drivers of aviation demand, i.e. rising populations, growing incomes, expanding connectivity and an enduring appetite for mobility remain firmly intact. 

The full 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report offers detailed global and regional analysis of passenger traffic, air cargo and aircraft movements, alongside airport and country rankings and ACI World’s latest traffic outlook.

About ACI 

Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, is a federated organisation 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 best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2026, ACI serves 811 members, operating over 2,200 airports in more than 160 countries worldwide.

About Annual World Airport Traffic Report

Annual World Airport Traffic Report (WATR) draws from 2,817 commercial airports across more than 185 countries and territories, offering the most extensive overview of the global airport industry and aviation markets for the operating year 2025 and the first half of 2026. It includes full rankings for passenger, cargo, and aircraft traffic.