Global airports handled a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) World reported , while air cargo volumes also reached an all-time high. Momentum has cooled in 2026, however, with passenger growth slowing amid mounting geopolitical and economic headwinds, even as cargo volumes continue to expand.
The figures, published in ACI World’s 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report (WATR), draw on data from 2,817 commercial airports worldwide – ACI World’s largest dataset to date – covering an estimated 97% of scheduled global passenger traffic and providing a comprehensive picture of global airport activity.
“The 2025 results confirm what this industry has shown year after year: long-term demand for air travel remains strong, and more capacity will be needed,” said Justin Erbacci, ACI World’s Director General.
“Meeting that demand means expanding capacity while getting far more out of the infrastructure we already have. It also means advocating for regulation that enables investment rather than blocking it and never losing sight of the fact that airports are strategic assets for their communities,” he said.
Air cargo reached a record 131.2 million tonnes in 2025, while aircraft movements rose to 103.1 million.
Yet the headline figures mask a more unsettled picture emerging in 2026. Geopolitical tensions, airspace disruption and rising costs have begun to reshape the industry’s near-term outlook, the report said.
2025: The year in numbers
International travel drove growth, with passenger traffic rising 6.1%, comfortably outpacing domestic growth of 1.7%. Global air cargo increased 3.3%, while aircraft movements rose 2.0%.
Passenger growth was strong across almost every region. Africa led the way with a 9.0% increase in traffic, followed by the Middle East at 6.5%, Asia-Pacific at 5.1%, and Latin America and the Caribbean at 4.5%. Europe also posted solid growth of 4.2%.
North America was the exception, with traffic declining 0.7% amid weaker domestic demand.
2026 so far: Turbulence beneath the surface
The opening months of 2026 have told a more complicated story. Global passenger traffic reached approximately 4.7 billion in the first half of the year, up just 0.6% from the same period in 2025, marking a significant slowdown from last year’s pace.
Growth continued across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific, while North America remained largely flat. The Middle East recorded the sharpest decline, with traffic down 21% as the region was affected by the escalating crisis and airspace disruption.
Despite the near-term volatility, the report’s underlying message remains one of confidence: the long-term drivers of aviation demand – rising populations, growing incomes, expanding connectivity and an enduring appetite for mobility – remain firmly intact.
