International air connectivity continued to strengthen in 2025, rising 9% year-on-year according to the International Air Connectivity in 2025 – Global Trends and Developments report published by IATA in March 2026. The study highlights that most major markets expanded their connectivity last year, with gains concentrated in countries that liberalized their aviation sectors, promoted route development, and invested in infrastructure.
IATA notes that strong air connectivity remains a key driver of economic development, enhancing access to global markets and supply chains, improving competitiveness, and supporting trade, tourism, and investment. It also underlines the broader social impact of aviation, including its role in connecting people, enabling knowledge exchange, and boosting productivity across industries.
Among the top 100 internationally connected markets, most recorded growth, while only a few experienced declines. The largest relative increases were seen in Moldova, Cambodia, Argentina, and Ethiopia. In contrast, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Jamaica registered declines in international connectivity in 2025.
The report also stresses that countries with stronger performance generally benefited from policy liberalization and infrastructure investment, while those with declines were mainly affected by external shocks such as economic crises, reduced tourism demand, or severe weather events, rather than domestic aviation policy decisions.
