UK aviation sector sets new 302m passenger record

A full recovery in airline passenger numbers to exceed pre-Covid levels was achieved in 2025.

 

The UK aviation sector saw its busiest 12 months on record with a 2% year on year rise in passengers from 295 million to 302 million.

 

The total represents more than the populations of the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands combined, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

 

The regulator’s latest aviation trends report notes that the sector broke through records set before the pandemic.

 

The growth looks set to continue, with the CAA’s recent annual consumer survey suggesting that one-in-three people (31%) plan to fly more this year.

 

This forms part of a long-term growth trend for the sector, as passenger numbers have tripled since 1989. 

 

Flight delays continued to drop last year, with 73% of flights operating on-time, up six percentage points on 2024, but still behind on pre-pandemic levels.

 

The most popular destinations in 2025 were Dublin, Alicante, Dubai, Malaga and Palma.

 

Other destinations with the largest increases in passenger numbers included Milan Linate (453,000 more passengers), Krakow (326,000) and Malta (301,000).

 

Some of the airports with the largest growth in passenger numbers included Edinburgh (up 8%), Liverpool (up 11%) and Newcastle (up 7%).

 

Aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister Keir Mather said: “A record year for passenger numbers underlines the importance of boosting airport capacity as we progress our work to prepare for a third runway at Heathrow, and drive forward approved expansion plans at Gatwick and Luton.

 

“Expansion will unlock more choice for passengers, could create thousands of highly skilled jobs, and strengthen our global connectivity, while backing UK aviation’s continued growth.”

 

Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade said:“This data confirms aviation’s role as a growth engine for the UK economy, meeting the needs and aspirations of the British public whose desire to travel has never been greater.

 

“UK airlines are working hard to meet this demand, whilst providing ever greater choice and service, competitive fares and reducing our environmental impact”. 

 

AirportsUK chief executive Karen Dee said: “It is great to see UK aviation continues to grow and that people view the opportunity to fly for business and leisure as increasingly important.

 

“This enables aviation to play its part in driving economic growth and in the social and leisure life of the UK, despite a highly competitive environment and significant potential headwinds on the horizon.

 

“It is vital for the sector, the regulator and government, to work together to ensure these challenges do not undermine the UK’s place a world leader in aviation and the connectivity that we rely on to reach global markets, stay in touch with friends and family, and go on much needed holidays.”

 

CAA consumers and markets director Selina Chadha said: “It has never been more popular to fly, and 2025 was officially a record-breaking year.

 

“While the sector grows from strength to strength, we continue working with aviation partners to drive even higher safety standards and protect passengers when they fly.”