ACI projects 9.8 billion global air passengers for 2025

Global air travel is projected to reach 9.8 billion passengers for the whole of 2025, according to a report by Airports Council International (ACI).

The figure, published in ACI’s World Airport Traffic Report, drew from data gathered from over 2,800 airports around the world, in more than 185 countries and territories.

This reflects a projected 3.7% year-on-year increase from 2024.

Growth in passenger numbers is being driven primarily by international traffic, which is expected to grow 5.3% this year, compared with 2.4% for domestic traffic.

Additionally, Africa is expected to see a major 9.4% year-on-year rise in passenger traffic, reaching a projected 273 million in 2025, driven by rising tourism and middle-class demand.

However, Asia Pacific and Europe remain the largest aviation markets, with forecasts of 3.6 billion and 2.5 billion passengers for this year respectively, reflecting projected year-on-year growth of 5.6% and 3.6%.

Growth in emerging markets

The ACI also stated that emerging aviation markets in Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America were seeing significant growth, due to rising demand and a growing presence of low-cost carriers.

By contrast, “advanced aviation markets”, such as parts of East Asia, Europe, and North America, have a more uncertain outlook, due to “geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts, and changes in traveller behaviour”.

“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,” said Justin Erbacci, World Director General at ACI. “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.”

Travel search engine KAYAK recently reported regional differences in how UK holidaymakers budgeted for summer 2025, highlighting a clear north–south divide in spending intentions.