Argentina’s commercial aviation sector is experiencing one of its strongest periods in years. May 2025 closed with a historic record of 3,730,980 passengers transported nationwide, representing a 21% growth compared to the same month in the previous year. This surge is not an isolated event but part of a sustained expansion trend driven by the National Government’s open skies policy and sector deregulation.
Five Months of Uninterrupted Growth
From January to May 2025, Argentine airports transported a total of 20,750,591 passengers. This figure is 14% higher than the same period in 2024, when 18,214,186 passengers were recorded. Each month of this year has outperformed its counterpart from the previous year, confirming a structural recovery of the commercial aviation system.
Breakdown by Segment: Domestic and International
Rising Domestic Traffic
In May, 2,570,618 passengers were transported on domestic flights, a 21% increase compared to the 2,117,759 recorded in May 2024. This growth is reflected in multiple regional airports, with remarkable increases:
- Puerto Madryn led with a 164% surge after reopening its airport following runway and taxiway rehabilitation work.
- Río Cuarto and Santa Fe also showed significant improvements, with increases of 92% and 79%, respectively.
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International Flights with More Options and Direct Routes
International flights closed May with 1,150,780 passengers, a 19% increase compared to the 963,221 recorded in the same month of 2024. This progress is linked to route expansion and enhanced connectivity without requiring layovers in Buenos Aires.
Key regional airports showed notable growth:
- Salta: +87%, driven by the Asunción route operated by Paranair since February.
- Rosario: +60%, benefiting from the reactivation of the Lima flight with LAN Perú.
- Aeroparque Jorge Newbery: +50%, thanks to Avianca’s new direct connection to Bogotá launched in December 2024.
- Córdoba: +36%, with new routes to Rio de Janeiro and Punta Cana operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas.
International Connectivity from the Provinces: A New Reality
One of the most notable figures for the month was the increase in direct flights from provincial cities to international destinations. In May, 152,671 people traveled abroad without passing through Buenos Aires, marking a 32% growth compared to May 2024.
Among the most dynamic routes were:
- Rosario – Panama: +35%
- Córdoba – Santiago de Chile: +29%
- Mendoza – Santiago de Chile: +21%
More Flights, More Activity
In terms of air operations, May recorded 30,024 movements, a 16% increase compared to the 25,964 recorded in the same month of the previous year. This heightened activity is a direct indicator of network expansion and increased flight frequencies, both domestically and internationally.
Open Skies: The Key to the New Momentum
The sustained growth of the sector is a direct result of the Open Skies policy, which has transformed Argentina’s commercial aviation landscape. This market liberalization has achieved:
- Decentralizing international flights from Buenos Aires to provincial cities.
- Expanding destination options and airline offerings.
- Strengthening competitiveness and access to more affordable fares.
- Establishing regional airports as strategic hubs for economic and tourism development.
With rising demand, improved connectivity, and an effective open skies strategy, Argentine aviation is entering a new era.
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Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.