Vancouver Airport Sets Record with 26.9 Million Passengers in 2025

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) welcomed more than 26.9 million travellers in 2025, setting a new all-time passenger record.

Cargo volumes also reached historic highs, marking the strongest performance in the airport’s 94-year history.

Passenger traffic increased 2.7 per cent year over year, surpassing the previous record of 26.3 million travellers set in 2019. The growth reflects YVR’s ongoing collaboration with airlines, tourism partners, and industry stakeholders to strengthen its role as a global hub and a vital gateway connecting North America, Asia, and international markets beyond.

“Strong operations and customer service combined with globally recognized innovation generated record results in 2025,” said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of Vancouver International Airport. “I recognize and thank our outstanding YVR and Sea Island employees, our partners at Musqueam, as well as our airline customers and passengers for contributing to this achievement.”

By sector, domestic travel rose 3.8 per cent. Internationally, Asia Pacific passenger volumes grew significantly, up 15.6 per cent year over year, while transborder travel between YVR and U.S. destinations declined by 7.1 per cent amid a general downturn of Canadian travel to the U.S.

Cargo activity reached 365,000 tonnes in 2025, representing a 7.4 per cent increase over 2024. This growth underscores YVR’s critical role in the regional and national supply chain, particularly for high-value, time-sensitive, and perishable exports.

Together, YVR’s passenger and cargo results reinforce its position as Canada’s second-busiest airport and a key economic driver, contributing more than $15 billion annually to Canada’s GDP.

A single year-round wide-body international route—such as T’Way Airlines’ service to Seoul, South Korea, launched last July—is estimated to generate $39.8 million in economic output, $20.8 million in GDP, and 237 full-time jobs in British Columbia.

“Looking forward, YVR is ready to go to welcome additional flights and carriers to get more of Canada to global markets while at the same time creating jobs and opportunity here at home,” added Vrooman.

“As governments look to sign new bilateral and trade agreements, we are on the ground in those emerging markets, engaged with our partners, building new relationships today to be ready for that additional growth tomorrow.”

YVR is now host to 57 airlines serving 129 non-stop destinations across the province and around the world.