Air passengers in Canada
Canada: Air passengers was 88.62 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Air passengers in Canada, 1970–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Canada recorded 88.62 million for air passengers in 2023.
That represents a change of up 32.5% on the previous year and up 23.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in Canada peaked at 93.35 million in 2019 and was at its lowest, 10.18 million, in 1970.
That places Canada 13th out of 183 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Air passengers in Canada, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 10.18 million | — |
| 1971 | 10.25 million | +0.7% |
| 1972 | 11.63 million | +13.5% |
| 1973 | 14.63 million | +25.8% |
| 1974 | 16.37 million | +11.9% |
| 1975 | 16.71 million | +2.1% |
| 1976 | 16.83 million | +0.7% |
| 1977 | 17.47 million | +3.8% |
| 1978 | 18.47 million | +5.8% |
| 1979 | 20.85 million | +12.9% |
| 1980 | 22.45 million | +7.7% |
| 1981 | 22.10 million | -1.6% |
| 1982 | 19.65 million | -11.1% |
| 1983 | 18.11 million | -7.9% |
| 1984 | 19.38 million | +7.0% |
| 1985 | 19.69 million | +1.6% |
| 1986 | 20.38 million | +3.5% |
| 1987 | 19.95 million | -2.1% |
| 1988 | 22.38 million | +12.2% |
| 1989 | 21.27 million | -4.9% |
| 1990 | 20.60 million | -3.2% |
| 1991 | 16.59 million | -19.5% |
| 1992 | 16.82 million | +1.4% |
| 1993 | 17.52 million | +4.2% |
| 1994 | 18.10 million | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 20.29 million | +12.1% |
| 1996 | 22.86 million | +12.6% |
| 1997 | 23.98 million | +4.9% |
| 1998 | 24.65 million | +2.8% |
| 1999 | 24.60 million | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 41.77 million | +69.8% |
| 2001 | 40.45 million | -3.2% |
| 2002 | 23.32 million | -42.3% |
| 2003 | 35.88 million | +53.9% |
| 2004 | 40.70 million | +13.4% |
| 2005 | 45.23 million | +11.1% |
| 2006 | 46.73 million | +3.3% |
| 2007 | 52.10 million | +11.5% |
| 2008 | 53.72 million | +3.1% |
| 2009 | 52.58 million | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 63.28 million | +20.3% |
| 2011 | 66.08 million | +4.4% |
| 2012 | 70.47 million | +6.6% |
| 2013 | 71.53 million | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 75.53 million | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 80.23 million | +6.2% |
| 2016 | 85.41 million | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 91.40 million | +7.0% |
| 2018 | 91.50 million | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 93.35 million | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 27.62 million | -70.4% |
| 2021 | 24.95 million | -9.7% |
| 2022 | 66.88 million | +168.0% |
| 2023 | 88.62 million | +32.5% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 88.62 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.14 million, 9.7× the median. (62 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Air passengers in Canada changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +168.0% | 24.95 million | 66.88 million |
| 2020 | -70.4% | 93.35 million | 27.62 million |
| 2000 | +69.8% | 24.60 million | 41.77 million |
| 2003 | +53.9% | 23.32 million | 35.88 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 15.34 million | 10.18 million | 20.85 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 20.54 million | 18.11 million | 22.45 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 20.60 million | 16.59 million | 24.65 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 43.25 million | 23.32 million | 53.72 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 78.88 million | 63.28 million | 93.35 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 52.02 million | 24.95 million | 88.62 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More reference data data for Canada
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 20.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 20.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 6.86 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 7.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 22.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 99.83 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.88 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in Canada?
- Air passengers in Canada was 88.62 million in 2023, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest air passengers recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 93.35 million in 2019.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.18 million in 1970.
- How does Canada rank for air passengers?
- Canada ranks 13th out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Air passengers. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 54 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Domestic and international passengers of airlines registered in the country. Passengers counted each time they travel.