Airports Council International (ACI) World is forecasting that global air travel will reach 9.8 billion passengers in 2025.
In its World Airport Traffic Report (WATR), the airport trade body says that the projected growth in passenger traffic reflects a 3.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth from 2024. The report draws from over 2,800 airports across more than 185 countries and territories.
While international travel is driving this growth reaching 5.3 per cent growth in 2025, compared with 2.4 per cent for domestic traffic, regional disparities and medium-term challenges signal a varied outlook. Geopolitical events, macroeconomic conditions and region-specific headwinds continue to impact the global aviation market’s growth trajectory.
Justin Erbacci ACI World
How regional variations and evolving travel patterns are impacting traffic growth
Justin Erbacci, ACI World Director General said the projected growth “underscores aviation’s role as a driver of global mobility and economic growth.”
He also noted that while international travel is the main engine of growth, “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.”
Emerging markets key to passenger growth
In terms of regional highlights, emerging markets are driving growth, supported by rising demand and the growing presence of low-cost carriers.
Africa is forecasted to reach 273 million passengers in 2025 (+9.4 per cent YoY) led by Northern Africa and boosted by tourism and rising middle-class demand.
Meanwhile, passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach 3.6 billion passengers in 2025 (+5.6 per cent YoY). Southern and Southeast Asia are the main drivers of the growth in this region, while East Asia’s outlook is described as “cautious”.
In the Middle East, traffic is forecasted to reach 466 million passengers in 2025 (+5.9 per cent YoY). Notably in 2024, Dubai recorded a record 92.3 million travellers, accounting for a large chunk of growth in the region’s traffic. While investment and tourism are spurring on growth in the region’s aviation sector, risks from geopolitical instability remain.
Latin America-Caribbean is expected to reach 789 million passengers this year (+4.1 per cent YoY).
Looking at the more mature markets, air traffic in Europe is expected to reach over 2.5 billion passengers (+3.6 per cent YoY) with international flights leading growth as domestic volumes lag due to rail gains. In North America traffic is forecast to reach 2.1 billion passengers in 2025. While growth is still trending in these regions, they also face a more uncertain outlook amid geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts (including ageing) and changes in passenger behaviour.
Passenger growth expected to double by 2047
Passenger growth expected to double by 2047Looking ahead over the next two decades passenger traffic is forecast to double from the 2025 forecast of 9.8 billion passengers to 18.9 billion by 2047.
With demand for air travel soaring, ACI World is calling on regulators to advance safer operations, seamless travel, net-zero pathways and stronger connectivity. To achieve this the airport trade body is presenting six key positions in its campaign to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under the theme Transform airports, empower aviation and connect the world.
These six positions include:
- Removing barriers to air connectivity and consumers
- Prioritising certification of all airports and support industry-led programmes to attain certification
- Harmonisation and strengthening of the aviation security equipment testing and certification process
- Ensuring airports have access to reliable and renewable energy to enable decarbonisation
- Coordination of policies and cross-industry collaboration to enable a seamless, secure passenger experience through the wider adoption of scalable biometric and digital identity solutions
- Modernising the global aviation slot policy to better reflect public interest, economic goals and structural changes in aviation
