By Ryan Madsen, Communications Manager, ACI-NA
Air travel in the United States reached a major milestone in 2025, reinforcing how essential airports are to the nation’s economy and daily life. According to newly released data from the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency managed 17.2 million flights last year, making 2025 the busiest for air travel in more than 15 years.
That figure reflects a steady climb following the sharp downturn in 2020, surpassing the previous high of 17 million flights recorded in 2019. For travelers, it means busier terminals, more flights, and growing connectivity. For airports, it means infrastructure that is being pushed harder and more often than it was originally designed to handle.
As passenger and flight volumes rise, airports face increasing pressure on runways, terminals, baggage systems, curbside facilities, and ground transportation networks. Many of these assets were built decades ago for far lower levels of demand. Sustained growth accelerates wear and brings more congestion, making investment essential not only to expand capacity, but to maintain safety, reliability, and efficiency.
Research from Airports Council International – North America highlights the scale of the challenge. ACI-NA’s 2025–2029 Airport Infrastructure Needs Study estimates that U.S. commercial service airports will require nearly $175 billion in investment by 2029 to modernize aging facilities, address capacity constraints, and keep pace with rising demand. Airports experiencing the largest spikes in traffic often face the most urgent needs, particularly where growth has outpaced historical funding levels.
The study provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of airport infrastructure needs nationwide, examining requirements across runways, terminals, airfield systems, and ground access facilities at airports of all sizes. It offers a clear picture of where investment gaps exist and what will be required to ensure airports can safely and efficiently meet future demand. The full study can be downloaded here: https://airportscouncil.org/intelligence/airport-infrastructure-needs-study/.
The record-setting year for air travel in 2025 sends a clear message: demand for air travel is not only back but on a sustained path for growth. Ensuring airports can safely and efficiently serve passengers in the years ahead will require continued investment that keeps pace with that demand.