Data Spotlight: Key Metrics On Deliveries, Orders, RPKs & More

2025 TOP 20 AIRPORT RANKINGS

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) stands out in the 2025 rankings by passenger numbers because of its sharp increase year-on-year, reflecting China’s return to commercial aviation growth. PVG served 84.9 million passengers, representing a 10.6% increase over 2024 and lifting it from 10th to fifth position among the world’s 20 busiest airports and means PVG had the highest year-over-year increase.

The second-largest percentage increase was achieved by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in Southern China, which moved up from 12th to ninth place by handling 83.6 million passengers, representing a year-over-year increase of 9.5%.

In line with the Chinese airport resurgence, Shenzhen Bao’an International (SZX) in South-Central China saw the next highest increase, moving into the top 20 table after with a record 66.5 million passengers representing an 8.1% growth over 2024.

Haneda Tokyo International (HND) and Incheon International (ICN) in Seoul also moved upwards. The only non-Asian airports to move up in the table were Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) and Frankfurt International (FRA).

With an annual traffic total of 106.3 million passengers in 2025, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) remains the world’s busiest airport for a fifth consecutive year, although passenger numbers decreased 1.6% versus the previous year and were 4.2 million fewer than ATL’s record performance of 110.5 million passengers in 2019.

Of the airports featured in the top 20, two more saw decreases versus 2024 and both were in the US, perhaps indicating the maturation of the North American market and a decline in interest in visiting the US. Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) and Los Angeles International (LAX) saw year-over-year passenger declines of 2.5% and 3.8% respectively.

As a collective, the top 20 airports for 2025 in terms of passengers handled increased 3% versus 2024 and were 2% higher than in 2019, the last year before the impact on aviation of the COVID pandemic.

With 95.2 million passengers during the year, Dubai International (DXB) maintained its second-place ranking that it has held since 2023, although the temporary suspensions of operations during the onset of the war in Iran and subsequent impacts may see DXB slide down the chart in 2026.

MONTHLY GROSS ORDERS for AIRBUS and BOEING

Airbus secured 331 firm airliner orders in March, significantly outpacing Boeing, which posted a total of 27 new orders.

Airbus experienced a strong month, driven by several high-profile deals. China Eastern Airlines placed an order for 101 aircraft consisting of 18 A320neos and 83 A321neos. The airline outlined a phased delivery schedule with nine aircraft expected in 2028, 19 in 2029, 30 in 2030, 27 in 2031 and 16 in 2032. Lessor AerCap also contributed to the Airbus numbers with an order for 23 A320neos and 77 A321neos.

Delta Air Lines added to the momentum with an order for 34 aircraft comprising a mix of A321neos, A330s, and A350s. Chinese LCC Juneyao Air further bolstered Airbus’s order book with a deal for 25 A320 family narrowbodies. Meanwhile, cargo specialist Atlas Air placed a landmark order for 20 A350Fs, marking the largest single order for the widebody freighter and making Atlas the largest customer for the A350F to date.

Airbus reported 408 gross orders during the first quarter of 2026. After accounting for 10 cancellations, the net total stood at 398 aircraft. By the end of March, the manufacturer’s backlog had reached 8,850 units.

Boeing’s performance in March was comparatively subdued. Its gross orderbook included 19 737 MAXs for an unidentified commercial customer and eight 787-9s, also from an undisclosed customer. At the end of February, Boeing’s firm backlog stood at just under 6,650 aircraft.

EUROPEAN CABIN SEAT and CONNECTIVITY MARKET SHARE

Aviation Week has analyzed which suppliers in the cabin seat, inflight entertainment (IFE) and inflight connectivity (IFC) sectors dominate the European market.

Study of the market share of economy-seat providers shows that the Safran Z110, Recaro SL3510 and the Collins Pinnacle are the most popular among European operators.

In the business-class cabin, Collins provides the two most popular seat models: the Diamond and Elevation. The third most popular is the Thompson Vantage.

In the IFC market, new entrants SpaceX with Starlink and Amazon with Leo are making inroads. While Starlink and Amazon Leo are still small in terms of market share, the performance of Viasat shows how quickly an IFC provider can gain ground. Viasat increased its share from 8.4% in 2022 to 41.3% in 2023 after securing contracts and installing IFC for many large operators including Lufthansa and Eurowings as well as IAG-owned carriers British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. Starlink has secured the likes of Air France, Lufthansa Group and Virgin Atlantic as customers, which will see its share shoot up rapidly as installations are performed.

In IFE, Panasonic maintains a dominant market share in Europe of more than 57% with second- and third-place players California-based Burrana and French company Safran holding almost 21% and 14% shares, respectively.