Background and Relevance
The Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil (ANAC) reported a significant 12% increase in air travel passengers in Argentina for the year 2025, marking a historic milestone for the country’s aerocommercial sector. This growth comes amidst a stable currency exchange rate and an open-skies policy, which have fostered an environment conducive to expansion.
Passenger Numbers and Growth
ANAC announced that a total of 50 million, 646,921 passengers traveled in Argentina during 2025, a record-breaking figure and an increase from 2024. The national passenger count reached 34 million, 735,497, a 9% rise from the previous year’s 31 million, 849,684. Internationally, the number of passengers soared to 15 million, 911,424, an 18% jump from the 13 million, 465,108 in 2024.
Direct International Flights from Interior Cities
ANAC highlighted that 2 million, 156,442 passengers opted for direct international flights from interior cities, bypassing Buenos Aires. This represented a 38% interannual growth, thanks to the stable dollar, new route authorizations, and increased flight frequencies. In 2025 alone, 63 new national and international connections were approved.
Airlines and Routes
Notable airline developments include Flybondi resuming the Puerto Iguazú-Lima route after a five-year hiatus and returning to Asunción. Latam was granted permission to operate domestic flights in Argentina after a six-year absence due to pandemic-related announcements of ceasing operations in the country.
Airport Performance
Salta, Córdoba, Bariloche, and Buenos Aires experienced notable growth in international passengers at 61%, 54%, 51%, and 39% respectively. Meanwhile, Río Hondo, Santa Fe, Neuquén, Puerto Madryn, and Iguazú witnessed substantial increases in domestic passengers at 82%, 30%, 22%, 19%, and 19% respectively.
Aircraft Movements
The sector’s growth was also reflected in a record number of aircraft movements (take-offs and landings), totaling 405,434 operations in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded.
New Players in Ground Handling Services
With the government’s post-assumption sector deregulation efforts, new ground handling service providers have emerged, supplementing the previously state-owned Intercargo. Currently, there are 11 authorized companies in this sector.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of the 12% increase in air travel passengers in Argentina for 2025? This growth indicates a thriving aerocommercial sector, driven by stable currency exchange rates and open-skies policies.
- Which airlines expanded their operations or resumed routes in 2025? Flybondi restarted the Puerto Iguazú-Lima route and returned to Asunción, while Latam was authorized to operate domestic flights in Argentina after a six-year absence.
- Which airports experienced the most significant growth in passenger numbers? Salta, Córdoba, Bariloche, and Buenos Aires saw substantial increases in international passengers, while Río Hondo, Santa Fe, Neuquén, Puerto Madryn, and Iguazú experienced notable growth in domestic passengers.
- What factors contributed to the record-breaking aircraft movements in 2025? The stable dollar, new route authorizations, and increased flight frequencies played crucial roles in this achievement.
- How has the ground handling services sector evolved in Argentina? Following government deregulation, new companies have entered the ground handling services market, supplementing the previously state-owned Intercargo. Currently, there are 11 authorized companies in this sector.
