Biannual global air travel demand update
Global passenger traffic maintains strong medium-term growth, driven by international travel, while regional performance varies
Montreal, 30 September 2025 – Airports Council International (ACI) World releases its second biannual global air travel demand update for 2025, pulling data from over 2,800 airports in more than 185 countries and territories worldwide.
Key takeaways:
- Total passenger traffic in 2024 was confirmed at 9.4 billion, up 8.3% Year-on-Year (YoY).
- International traffic led growth, up 13.3% YoY, while domestic traffic grew 4.5% YoY.
- By June 2025 Year-to-Date (YTD), passenger traffic was up 2.1% YoY; international traffic grew 4.9% YoY, while domestic traffic fell slightly (-0.8% YoY).
- Medium-term growth is varied: emerging markets are driving demand, while advanced markets face policy, demographic, and geopolitical headwinds.
Passenger traffic 2024–2025
Total passenger traffic for 2024 was confirmed this summer at 9.4 billion, representing an 8.3% YoY increase from 2023 and nearly matching ACI World’s February 2025 forecast (WATF 2024–2053) with 99.92% accuracy.
In 2024, international passenger traffic led overall demand growth, reaching 3.8 billion passengers—an increase of 13.3% YoY—and is projected to grow by 5.3% in 2025. The domestic passenger segment grew by 4.5% YoY in 2024, reaching 5.0 billion passengers, and is expected to grow by 2.4% in 2025.
ACI World confirms that by June 2025, YTD total passenger traffic increased by 2.1% YoY. While domestic traffic slightly decreased by 0.7% YoY, international traffic grew by 4.9% YoY.
Current projections estimate total passenger traffic will reach 9.8 billion in 2025, a 3.7% increase from 2024. International traffic is expected to reach 4.3 billion passengers (44% of the total), while domestic traffic is projected at 5.5 billion passengers (56% of the total).
Source: ACI World
Medium-term outlook
Global passenger traffic continues to grow unevenly across regions, reflecting a mix of structural strengths, policy challenges, and evolving travel patterns. Emerging aviation markets such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America are driving growth, supported by rising demand and a growing presence of low-cost carriers. In contrast, advanced aviation markets—including parts of East Asia, Europe, and North America—face a more uncertain outlook amid geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts (such as ageing in some regions), and changes in traveller behaviour (such as uncertainty in travel and visa policies).
While international travel remains the primary engine of recovery in many regions, domestic aviation markets show varied performance, shaped by infrastructure capacity, modal competition, and policy dynamics. Overall, the global aviation market is expanding, but its trajectory remains sensitive to both macroeconomic conditions and region-specific headwinds.
* Estimated passenger traffic volumes are based on a broad range of inputs provided by ACI Regional offices and industry experts.
Source: ACI World
Source: ACI World
Regional highlights
- Passenger traffic in Africa is forecasted to reach 273 million passengers in 2025, with a 9.4% YoY growth rate. The market showed strong momentum in the first half of 2025, led by growth in Northern African markets. While structural challenges persist—such as limited intra-regional connectivity, infrastructure gaps, and complex regulations—positive drivers include rising middle-class demand, expanding tourism, and the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco. Initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and sustained airport investment will be critical to long-term growth.
- The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow 5.6% YoY, reaching 3.6 billion passengers by year-end 2025. Southern and Southeast Asia continue to expand strongly, while East Asia faces a more cautious long-term outlook. Overcapacity, weak domestic consumption, policy uncertainty, and demographic decline weigh on prospects, alongside geopolitical frictions such as U.S. tariffs that affect trade and tourism.
- In Europe (1), passenger traffic in 2025 is forecasted to surpass 2.5 billion passengers, a 3.6% YoY increase. International travel is driving growth, while domestic volumes remain more moderate. Southern Europe—led by Spain and Italy—outperforms due to strong tourism demand. However, domestic travel across core markets remains below 2019 levels, as rail gains ground in Germany, France, and the UK. Broader headwinds include geopolitical tensions, aging demographics, and trade frictions.
- The Latin America–Caribbean region is forecasted to reach 789 million passengers by end-2025, a 4.1% YoY increase. Growth is being fueled by leisure travel demand, low-cost carrier expansion, and improved intra-regional connectivity. Continued airport infrastructure development and fiscal policy adjustments will be key to sustaining momentum.
- The Middle East is expected to reach 466 million passengers in 2025, with 5.9% YoY growth. Stable volumes are supported by investment in infrastructure, growing fleets, and expanding tourism flows. Still, the risk of regional escalation threatens airspace access, traveller confidence, and traffic performance beyond the second half of 2025.
- North America is forecasted to reach 2.1 billion passengers in 2025. The U.S. domestic market contracted 2.0% in H1 2025 vs. H1 2024, while international traffic rose 1.0%. Canada showed a different pattern: domestic traffic grew 3.0%, but international volumes fell 1.0%. The regional outlook remains uncertain, shaped by visa rules, travel restrictions, and trade policies. Leading indicators suggest a weaker second half of 2025, though it is unclear whether this is temporary or part of a longer-term shift.
Source: ACI World
Conclusion
As air travel demand continues its upward trajectory, the global picture remains one of growth tempered by regional disparities and external risks. While international traffic provides strong momentum, sustaining this trajectory will depend on infrastructure investment, policy alignment, and resilience to geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
(1) ACI World’s definition of the Europe region follows the markets listed in the World Airport Traffic Report (WATR). ACI EUROPE’s definition is based on its membership.
About ACI
Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, is a federated organization comprising ACI World, ACI Africa, ACI Asia-Pacific & 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 2025, ACI serves 830 members, operating 2,181 airports in 170 countries.