Global airport body reports record 2025 traffic, warns of slowdown in 2026
Airports Council International says worldwide passenger numbers hit 9.8 billion in 2025, a record, while first-half 2026 figures point to a sharp deceleration.
Airports worldwide handled a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, according to the annual report from Airports Council International (ACI) World. International traffic grew 6.1 percent and domestic traffic 1.7 percent, the report states.
Cargo and aircraft movements also hit highs, with freight volumes rising to 131.2 million tonnes and movements reaching 103.1 million.
The picture for 2026 is weaker. ACI counted roughly 4.7 billion passengers in the first half, up 0.6 percent on the same period a year earlier. The Middle East saw the steepest decline, at 21 percent.
ACI blamed geopolitical tensions, airspace restrictions and rising costs for the slowdown, but said it still expects demand for air travel to grow over the longer term.
Sources
- aerotelegraph.comFlughafenverband meldet Passagierrekord für 2025 - aber 2026 sieht anders aus