The open skies policy drove records in total, international, and domestic flights
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Argentine commercial aviation closed 2025 with record figures and consolidated the best performance in its history. According to official data from the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), during the year 50.6 million passengers flew through the country's airports, surpassing all previous records in the historical series.
It has been just under two years since the national government moved forward with the open skies policy, a structural reform that deregulated the sector, facilitated the entry of new airlines, and eliminated bureaucratic obstacles that for decades had limited air connectivity. In 2025, that strategy showed its greatest impact.
Avión comercial de Aeronlineas Argentinas.
The total figure represents an increase of 9% compared with the previous peak reached in 2023 and 12% more than in 2024, confirming a sustained expansion trend. However, the growth was not homogeneous: both the international and domestic segments set new historical highs.
On international flights, 15.9 million passengers left or entered the country during 2025. This figure exceeds the previous 2018 record by 6% and shows an 18% year-on-year jump. This phenomenon was strongly linked to the growth of outbound tourism. According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC), 11.8 million Argentines traveled abroad, while 5.3 million foreign tourists entered, resulting in a negative net balance of more than 6.5 million people.
Domestic aviation also reached a historical maximum. On domestic flights, 34.7 million passengers were transported, above the 2023 record and 9% more than in 2024. Although the percentage growth was more moderate, it confirms the recovery of demand and the expansion of the network of destinations within the country.
Javier Milei.
Among the milestones of the open skies policy, the most notable are the authorization of 63 new routes, the incorporation of airlines with smaller aircraft, and the arrival of new international operators. A record was also achieved in direct international flights from the country's interior: 2.1 million passengers flew abroad without passing through Buenos Aires, 38% more than in 2024.
Airports such as Salta, Córdoba, and Bariloche led the growth, with increases of more than 50% in international passengers. The numbers confirm a paradigm shift: with clear rules and openness to the private sector, Argentine aviation has taken off again.
