Air passengers in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Air passengers was 118.95 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Air passengers in United Kingdom, 1970–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 118.95 million for air passengers in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 24.0% on the previous year and up 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in United Kingdom peaked at 165.39 million in 2018 and was at its lowest, 15.57 million, in 1970.
That places United Kingdom 7th 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 15.57 million | — |
| 1971 | 15.80 million | +1.5% |
| 1972 | 17.31 million | +9.6% |
| 1973 | 18.96 million | +9.5% |
| 1974 | 18.06 million | -4.7% |
| 1975 | 18.07 million | +0.1% |
| 1976 | 19.47 million | +7.7% |
| 1977 | 19.48 million | +0.1% |
| 1978 | 23.19 million | +19.0% |
| 1979 | 25.31 million | +9.2% |
| 1980 | 25.55 million | +0.9% |
| 1981 | 24.58 million | -3.8% |
| 1982 | 23.87 million | -2.9% |
| 1983 | 23.38 million | -2.1% |
| 1984 | 25.83 million | +10.5% |
| 1985 | 28.23 million | +9.3% |
| 1986 | 29.37 million | +4.1% |
| 1987 | 33.71 million | +14.7% |
| 1988 | 37.57 million | +11.5% |
| 1989 | 46.35 million | +23.4% |
| 1990 | 47.11 million | +1.6% |
| 1991 | 42.86 million | -9.0% |
| 1992 | 47.82 million | +11.6% |
| 1993 | 50.19 million | +5.0% |
| 1994 | 55.48 million | +10.5% |
| 1995 | 59.69 million | +7.6% |
| 1996 | 64.21 million | +7.6% |
| 1997 | 62.76 million | -2.3% |
| 1998 | 61.94 million | -1.3% |
| 1999 | 65.74 million | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 70.44 million | +7.1% |
| 2001 | 70.33 million | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 72.38 million | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 76.39 million | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 86.05 million | +12.7% |
| 2005 | 93.60 million | +8.8% |
| 2006 | 97.54 million | +4.2% |
| 2007 | 101.62 million | +4.2% |
| 2008 | 104.71 million | +3.0% |
| 2009 | 102.47 million | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 101.52 million | -0.9% |
| 2011 | 111.60 million | +9.9% |
| 2012 | 115.42 million | +3.4% |
| 2013 | 118.61 million | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 124.90 million | +5.3% |
| 2015 | 131.51 million | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 143.78 million | +9.3% |
| 2017 | 151.16 million | +5.1% |
| 2018 | 165.39 million | +9.4% |
| 2019 | 142.39 million | -13.9% |
| 2020 | 30.24 million | -78.8% |
| 2021 | 26.63 million | -11.9% |
| 2022 | 95.91 million | +260.1% |
| 2023 | 118.95 million | +24.0% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 118.95 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.14 million, 13.0× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 118.95 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3.87 million, 30.7× the median. (49 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Air passengers in United Kingdom 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 | +260.1% | 26.63 million | 95.91 million |
| 2020 | -78.8% | 142.39 million | 30.24 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 19.12 million | 15.57 million | 25.31 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 29.84 million | 23.38 million | 46.35 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 55.78 million | 42.86 million | 65.74 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 87.55 million | 70.33 million | 104.71 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 130.63 million | 101.52 million | 165.39 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 67.93 million | 26.63 million | 118.95 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in United Kingdom?
- Air passengers in United Kingdom was 118.95 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 165.39 million in 2018.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.57 million in 1970.
- How does United Kingdom rank for air passengers?
- United Kingdom ranks 7th out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.