Worldwide flight passenger numbers increase seven percent
Global airlines carried 3.8 billion passengers in 2016, an increase of 7% on the previous year.
Statistics compiled by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show passengers took an additional 242 million air trips.
Ryanair was fifth in the world ranking of airlines in terms of scheduled passengers, carrying 112 million passengers.
The 2017 edition of the IATA World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), shows that, once again, airlines in the Asia-Pacific region carried the largest number of passengers, with a total of 1.3 billion, an increase of 11.3% on 2015 and representing 35% market share.
European airlines carried the second largest number of passengers, at 992.4 million, up 6.1% over 2015, representing a market share of 26%.
North American airlines are third on the list, carrying 911.5 million, up 3% over 2015, with a 24% market share.
The top three airlines in terms of scheduled passengers are all US carriers, with Southwest Airlines carrying 151.8 million passengers, American Airlines (144.2 million passengers) and Delta Air Lines (143.3 million).
China Southern Airlines is fourth in the list, carrying 114.5 million passengers, while Ryanair is fifth, carrying 112 million passengers.
US citizens are the world’s most prevalent travellers, both internationally and domestically, according to the report.
Internationally, American citizens comprised 9.5% of all travellers. This was followed by citizens of the UK (7.8%), Germany (6.5%), China (6.4%) and France (4.1%).
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers