ACI World said investment and tourism will continue to underpin regional growth, though geopolitical instability remains a potential risk.
Globally, passenger traffic is forecast to reach 9.8bn in 2025, a 3.7 per cent increase compared to 2024.
Middle East air traffic growth
International travel is expected to expand by 5.3 per cent, outpacing the 2.4 per cent growth in domestic travel.
By mid-2025 year-to-date, worldwide passenger volumes were up 2.1 per cent year-on-year, driven by a 4.9 per cent increase in international travel, while domestic traffic contracted 0.7 per cent.
- Middle East: 466m passengers (+5.9 per cent YoY), supported by investment and tourism
- Africa: 273m passengers (+9.4 per cent YoY), driven by Northern Africa and rising middle-class demand
- Asia-Pacific: 3.6bn passengers (+5.6 per cent YoY), with Southern and Southeast Asia leading growth
- Europe: 2.5bn passengers (+3.6 per cent YoY), with international travel driving demand, though rail competition weighs on domestic volumes
- Latin America–Caribbean: 789m passengers (+4.1 per cent YoY), supported by leisure demand and low-cost carrier growth
- North America: 2.1bn passengers, with growth slowing amid market maturity
Justin Erbacci, Director-General of ACI World, said: “Air travel is on track to reach 9.8bn passengers in 2025, underscoring aviation’s role as a driver of global mobility and economic growth. 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.”
ACI noted that emerging aviation markets in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America are driving global momentum, supported by tourism demand, rising middle-class populations, and expansion of low-cost carriers.
In contrast, advanced aviation markets in East Asia, Europe, and North America face a more uncertain outlook due to geopolitical tensions, ageing demographics, and shifts in traveller behaviour.
Overall, ACI said the global aviation market remains on an upward trajectory, though it continues to be highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, macroeconomic conditions, and region-specific headwinds.
