The Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its latest global traffic report, showing record numbers in 2025 and slower momentum in 2026. The survey of 2,817 airports worldwide showed that while global airports welcomed 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, 2026’s numbers thus far show just a 0.6% increase from the same time last year. The report detailed that every region saw passenger growth in 2025 except for North America, which experienced a 0.7% dip. In 2026, passenger growth has persisted across Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific, with North American growth remaining flat and Middle East traffic down 21%. The report went on to note that while geopolitical conflicts and airspace disruption have likely contributed to the change in 2026’s numbers, overall passenger demand remains strong.
“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.”
