Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its new World Airport Traffic Report (WATR), which states that global air travel is expected to reach 9.8 billion passengers by the end of 2025.
The annual report draws from data provided by more than 2,800 airports across over 185 countries and territories, with this year’s report highlighting international travel growth despite regional disparities and medium-term challenges.
Highlights of the report include a projection of a 3.7% growth in global passenger traffic Year-on-Year (YoY) from 2024, an expectation of international traffic growth of up to 5.3% in 2025 (compared to 2.4% for domestic traffic) and a mid-year increase in global passenger traffic by 2.1% YoY, an increase in international traffic by 4.9% YoY and a contraction of domestic traffic of 0.7% YoY.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci 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 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.
Regional highlights of the report include:
- Africa: Forecasted to reach 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 reach 3.6 billion passengers in 2025 (+5.6% YoY), with Southern and Southeast Asia driving growth; East Asia`s outlook remains cautious
- Europe: Forecasted to reach over 2.5 billion passengers in 2025 (+3.6% YoY); international travel leading growth, while domestic volumes lag due to rail gains
- Latin America–Caribbean: Forecasted to reach 789 million passengers in 2025 (+4.1% YoY); momentum supported by leisure demand and low-cost carrier expansion
- Middle East: Forecasted to reach 466 million passengers in 2025 (+5.9% YoY); underpinned by investment and tourism, though risks from geopolitical instability remain
- North America: Forecasted to reach 2.1 billion passengers in 2025
The report states that passenger traffic is continuing to grow ‘unevenly’ across regions, reflecting a ‘mix of structural strengths, policy changes, and evolving travel patterns’, with emerging markets such as in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America all driving growth.
The full report can be read here.
