Global Air Travel Expected to Reach 9.8 Billion Passengers by 2025
Airports Council International (ACI) forecasts significant growth in global air travel, with a focus on varying regional dynamics.
Global air travel is projected to reach 9.8 billion passengers for 2025 according to Airports Council International (ACI) World’s newly released World Airport Traffic Report (WATR). While international travel is driving growth, regional disparities and medium-term challenges signal a varied outlook.
ACI World’s flagship annual report draws from over 2,800 airports across more than 185 countries and territories, offering the most extensive overview of the global airport industry.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci stated: “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.”
Global Highlights
- 2025 global passenger traffic is projected to reach 9.8 billion passengers, reflecting a 3.7% Year-on-Year (YoY) growth from 2024.
- International traffic is expected to grow 5.3% in 2025, compared to 2.4% for domestic traffic.
- By mid-2025 Year-to-Date (YTD), global passenger traffic was up 2.1% YoY; international traffic grew 4.9% YoY, while domestic traffic contracted 0.7% YoY.
Regional Highlights
- Africa: Forecasted to reach 273 million passengers in 2025 (+9.4% YoY).
- Asia-Pacific: Forecasted to reach 3.6 billion passengers in 2025 (+5.6% YoY).
- Europe: Forecasted to reach over 2.5 billion passengers in 2025 (+3.6% YoY).
- Latin America–Caribbean: Forecasted to reach 789 million passengers in 2025 (+4.1% YoY).
- Middle East: Forecasted to reach 466 million passengers in 2025 (+5.9% YoY).
- North America: Forecasted to reach 2.1 billion passengers in 2025.
Overall, the global aviation market is expanding, but its trajectory remains sensitive to geopolitical events, macroeconomic conditions and region-specific challenges.
