Colombia Surpasses 39.4 Million Air Passengers Between January and August 2026
Colombia’s aviation industry maintained a solid upward trajectory, handling 39.4 million air passengers during the first eight months of 2026—a 4.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. In August alone, passenger traffic across the country’s airport terminals reached 5.1 million travelers.
On a rolling 12-month basis (September 2025 to August 2026), the Colombian air travel market totaled 59.2 million passengers, reflecting a 3.4% year-on-year increase compared to the previous annual cycle.
Domestic Market: Regional Growth and Operational Resilience
Between January and August 2026, domestic flight passenger traffic reached 22.3 million passengers, representing a 4.9% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. According to data from the Analytics Office of the Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics (Aerocivil), these figures underscore the ongoing consolidation of regional connectivity across Colombia.
Regional Airport Performance and Operational Disruptions
During August, operations at several domestic airport terminals were impacted by force majeure events:
- Cali, Armenia, and Quibdó: Maintained positive performance despite the aftermath of an earthquake. Collectively, passenger throughput across these three airports rose by nearly 3% compared to August 2025, tracking in line with the national average.
- Pereira (Matecaña International Airport): In contrast, the terminal reported a sharp 58% year-on-year contraction in passenger traffic during August 2026, driven by infrastructure damage sustained at the facility.
International Passenger Traffic Maintains Steady Momentum
The international air transport segment also sustained its expansion through the first eight months of 2026. Inbound and outbound international routes handled 17.1 million passengers, marking a 4.1% increase compared to the figures recorded during the same period in 2025.
Air Cargo and Mail Top One Million Tonnes in Rolling Annual Total
Colombia’s air freight sector mirrored passenger growth trends, delivering positive performance both on a monthly and year-to-date basis:
- August 2026: Air cargo and mail volume totaled 81,565 tonnes, representing an increase of 6,101 tonnes (+8.1%) compared to August 2025.
- January–August 2026: Cumulative freight transport reached 668,800 tonnes, posting a 6.5% year-on-year increase.
- Trailing 12 Months (September 2025 – August 2026): Overall traffic crossed a historic milestone, reaching 1,002,478 tonnes, supported by steady 4.6% growth.
Cargo Breakdown by Market
Freight momentum was led primarily by the international segment:
- International Market: Handled the bulk of volumes with 575,192 tonnes processed between January and August (+7.5% year-on-year).
- Domestic Market: Logged 93,608 tonnes transported over the same eight-month span, recording a modest 1.1% gain.
Colombia’s aviation figures through August 2026 reaffirm steady growth across both passenger and cargo segments, fueled by robust demand on domestic and international routes while the airport network addresses operational challenges stemming from targeted infrastructure disruptions in the country’s western region.
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