Air traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean grew 3.8% in 2025 and exceeded 477 million passengers

Total air passenger traffic to, from, and within Latin America and the Caribbean reached 477.3 million passengers in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.8% compared to 2024, equivalent to 17.5 million additional passengers. This growth was driven by operations within the region itself, which accounted for most of the annual expansion.

Total flight capacity increased by 2% year-on-year, and seat capacity grew by 3.1%, averaging 160 seats per flight, compared to 158 the previous year. In operational terms, capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASKs), increased by 4.6%, while demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), rose by 4.5%. The average load factor was 83.7%. December was one of the busiest months of the year, with 44.3 million passengers and a year-on-year increase of 5.4%.

Brazil consolidated its position as the largest regional air market, with 129.6 million passengers and a 9.4% increase, equivalent to 11.2 million additional passengers. For the first time, it surpassed 100 million domestic passengers and reached a historic record in the international segment with 28.4 million travelers. Traffic between Brazil and Argentina grew by 29.7% and accounted for nearly a third of Brazil's international growth.

Argentina registered the highest percentage growth in the region, with 33.3 million passengers and a 13.2% increase. Domestic traffic grew by 9.1% and international traffic by 18.2%, with strong expansion on routes to Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia, in a context of greater market openness.

Panama reached almost 21 million passengers, a 9% year-over-year increase. Traffic between Panama and the United States grew by 8.1%, standing out in a scenario where total traffic between Latin America and the United States showed a slight contraction.

Mexico was the second largest market in the region with 122.4 million passengers and 2.4% growth. The domestic segment advanced 3.3%, driven mainly by Monterrey and Guadalajara, while the international segment increased 1.5%. The Mexico-Canada market grew strongly, although traffic to and from the United States showed a slight decline.

Colombia reached 57.5 million passengers, representing a growth of 1.7%. Domestic traffic fell by 1.2%, affected by the reduction in Bogotá, while international traffic grew by 5.7%, with expansion on routes to Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.

Chile transported 28.4 million passengers, a 0.8% increase. Domestic traffic fell by 1.5%, while international traffic grew by 3.9%, driven by routes to Brazil and Argentina. Within the domestic market, routes linked to mining activity moderated the decline.

Peru showed a more dynamic performance, with 28.5 million passengers and a growth of 5.9%, both in the domestic and international segment, in a context of airport infrastructure expansion, including the entry into operation of the new Lima international airport.

In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic led the growth with 19.6 million passengers and a 3.1% increase, driven by greater capacity to the United States, Peru, Mexico, and Argentina. In contrast, Jamaica registered a 7.7% decline, affected by the contraction of the US market and the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the last quarter of the year.

In Central America, Costa Rica grew 3.2%, Guatemala 3.8%, while El Salvador experienced a decline of 1.7%.

“Total air traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 477.3 million passengers in 2025, confirming a stable and positive year for the region. Growth was primarily driven by operations within LAC, with Argentina as the market with the highest percentage expansion, followed by Brazil and Panama,” said Peter Cerdá, CEO of ALTA.

The data reflect a sustained dynamism that could accelerate with more efficient regulatory frameworks and conditions that favor the competitiveness of the sector in the region.

Source:
Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA)