Global air travel is set to hit 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) World, marking a 3.7% increase on 2024.
The forecast highlights strong international demand as the primary driver of growth, even as domestic markets face structural headwinds.
Drawing on data from more than 2,800 airports across 185 countries, ACI’s World Airport Traffic Report underscores the uneven nature of aviation’s recovery. While international volumes are surging, domestic markets in several advanced economies are under pressure from policy hurdles, shifting demographics and geopolitical tensions.
Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World, said: “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 structural strengths, policy challenges and evolving travel patterns.”
In 2024, global passenger traffic rose 8.3% to 9.4 billion, driven by a 13.3% jump in international traffic to 3.8 billion passengers. Domestic travel grew by 4.5%, reaching 5 billion passengers.
However, momentum has eased in 2025. By June, overall passenger traffic was up just 2.1% year-on-year. Domestic volumes dipped 0.7%, while international traffic climbed 4.9%—reinforcing the trend of uneven growth.
Regional outlook: a two-speed world
• Africa: Passenger traffic is expected to hit 273 million in 2025, up 9.4%. Growth is fuelled by middle-class expansion and tourism, though weak intra-regional connectivity and infrastructure remain challenges.
• Asia-Pacific: The world’s largest aviation market is forecast to reach 3.6 billion passengers, up 5.6%. Southern and Southeast Asia are thriving, while East Asia faces overcapacity, weak spending and demographic decline.
• Europe: Passenger volumes are set to exceed 2.5 billion, growing 3.6%. International demand—particularly in Southern Europe—remains strong, but domestic markets lag, squeezed by rail competition and demographic pressures.
• Latin America and Caribbean: Forecast at 789 million passengers in 2025, up 4.1%. Growth is underpinned by low-cost carriers and leisure travel, though infrastructure investment is critical to sustain momentum.
• Middle East: Expected to reach 466 million passengers, a 5.9% rise, with growth anchored by infrastructure expansion and tourism flows. Regional tensions, however, pose ongoing risks.
• North America: Projected at 2.1 billion passengers, with mixed signals. US domestic traffic contracted 2% in H1 2025, while Canada showed modest growth. Policy uncertainty clouds the outlook.
Why it matters
Air traffic volumes are more than aviation metrics—they reflect global economic health, mobility, and consumer behaviour. Emerging markets are propelling growth through urbanisation, rising middle-class demand and low-cost carriers, while advanced economies face challenges from ageing populations, competition from rail, and geopolitical headwinds.
ACI stresses that sustaining global aviation growth will require not only infrastructure investment but also regulatory frameworks that support connectivity and resilience.
As Erbacci concluded: “To sustain air travel demand globally, regulators must foster policies that enable improved connectivity, long-term resilience and sustainable growth.”
For travellers, the near-term outlook points to expanding international routes and stronger connectivity in emerging markets, though some advanced regions may see slower progress in meeting demand.