According to the latest estimations and projections from the International Air Transport Association, the number of annual air passengers worldwide is about to pass the 5 billion mark. After having already surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, global air traffic is expected to grow by 5 percent annually in 2025-2026, rising from 4.98 billion this year (estimated in December 2025) to 5.20 billion in 2026. The data from the organization confirms the industry's robust recovery after several years of pandemic-induced disruptions.
As our chart shows, the Asia-Pacific region is leading the charge, with a 7 to 8 percent annual increase in air passenger traffic expected in 2025-2026, fueled by intra-regional travel and strong demand in both economy and premium classes. The region now accounts for over a third of global aviation traffic. Europe, the second-largest market worldwide (over a quarter of traffic), is expected to experience slightly below-average growth: 5 percent in 2025 and just under 4 percent in 2026. On the other hand, North America, the third-largest global market (over a fifth of traffic), is growing at a much slower pace: only 0.2 percent is expected this year and 1.5 percent in 2026.
