Global passenger traffic growth slows to 0.6% in first half of 2026, ACI says

Global passenger traffic reached about 4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, up 0.6% on the same period a year earlier, according to the Airports Council International annual world airport traffic report. ACI described the result as a marked slowdown from 2025's pace.

The Middle East saw the steepest decline, down 21%, which the report links to the conflict involving the US, Iran and Israel. North America was largely flat. Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific all recorded growth.

The figures drew on data from 2,817 commercial airports in more than 185 countries and territories, ACI said. It reported a record 9.8 billion passengers globally in 2025, with international traffic up 6.1% against domestic growth of 1.7%. Africa led regional growth at 9.0%, ahead of the Middle East at 6.5%, Asia-Pacific at 5.1%, Latin America and the Caribbean at 4.5% and Europe at 4.2%. North America was the only region to decline, falling 0.7% on softer domestic demand.

Air cargo hit a record 131.2 million tons over 2025, and aircraft movements reached 103.1 million. Justin Erbacci, director general of ACI World, said the 2025 results confirmed that long-term demand for air travel remains strong and that more capacity will be needed.

Despite near-term volatility, the council said the underlying drivers of aviation demand remain intact: rising populations, growing incomes, expanding connectivity and appetite for mobility.