Air passengers in Switzerland
Switzerland: Air passengers was 27.73 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Air passengers in Switzerland, 1970–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for air passengers in Switzerland is 27.73 million, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 21.7% on the previous year and up 0.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in Switzerland peaked at 30.34 million in 2019 and was at its lowest, 3.40 million, in 1970.
Switzerland ranks 30th of 183 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Air passengers in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3.40 million | — |
| 1971 | 3.93 million | +15.6% |
| 1972 | 4.05 million | +3.3% |
| 1973 | 4.51 million | +11.4% |
| 1974 | 4.58 million | +1.3% |
| 1975 | 4.69 million | +2.6% |
| 1976 | 5.08 million | +8.4% |
| 1977 | 5.44 million | +6.9% |
| 1978 | 5.69 million | +4.6% |
| 1979 | 5.89 million | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 5.93 million | +0.7% |
| 1981 | 6.22 million | +4.9% |
| 1982 | 6.25 million | +0.5% |
| 1983 | 6.27 million | +0.2% |
| 1984 | 6.25 million | -0.2% |
| 1985 | 6.51 million | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 6.71 million | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 7.21 million | +7.5% |
| 1988 | 7.48 million | +3.7% |
| 1989 | 8.23 million | +10.0% |
| 1990 | 8.60 million | +4.5% |
| 1991 | 7.97 million | -7.3% |
| 1992 | 8.26 million | +3.5% |
| 1993 | 9.15 million | +10.9% |
| 1994 | 9.34 million | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 9.86 million | +5.6% |
| 1996 | 10.47 million | +6.2% |
| 1997 | 12.48 million | +19.2% |
| 1998 | 14.30 million | +14.6% |
| 1999 | 16.21 million | +13.4% |
| 2000 | 17.27 million | +6.5% |
| 2001 | 16.91 million | -2.0% |
| 2002 | 13.30 million | -21.4% |
| 2003 | 10.12 million | -23.9% |
| 2004 | 9.29 million | -8.2% |
| 2005 | 9.66 million | +4.0% |
| 2006 | 10.65 million | +10.2% |
| 2007 | 12.30 million | +15.5% |
| 2008 | 14.35 million | +16.7% |
| 2009 | 14.70 million | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 22.15 million | +50.6% |
| 2011 | 24.87 million | +12.3% |
| 2012 | 26.39 million | +6.1% |
| 2013 | 27.50 million | +4.2% |
| 2014 | 27.92 million | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 27.01 million | -3.3% |
| 2016 | 25.86 million | -4.3% |
| 2017 | 26.73 million | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 28.86 million | +8.0% |
| 2019 | 30.34 million | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 9.01 million | -70.3% |
| 2021 | 10.99 million | +22.0% |
| 2022 | 22.77 million | +107.2% |
| 2023 | 27.73 million | +21.7% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 27.73 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.14 million, 3.0× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 27.73 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3.87 million, 7.2× the median. (49 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Air passengers in Switzerland 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 | +107.2% | 10.99 million | 22.77 million |
| 2020 | -70.3% | 30.34 million | 9.01 million |
| 2010 | +50.6% | 14.70 million | 22.15 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.73 million | 3.40 million | 5.89 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 6.71 million | 5.93 million | 8.23 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 10.66 million | 7.97 million | 16.21 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 12.85 million | 9.29 million | 17.27 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.76 million | 22.15 million | 30.34 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.62 million | 9.01 million | 27.73 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More reference data data for Switzerland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5507 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.2683 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.28 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 6.28 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.272 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in Switzerland?
- Air passengers in Switzerland was 27.73 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 30.34 million in 2019.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.40 million in 1970.
- How does Switzerland rank for air passengers?
- Switzerland ranks 30th out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.