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Feb 3, 2026 5:39 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press
Vancouver International Airport says it reached new highs for both passenger travel and cargo movement in 2025, reflecting continued recovery and growth in the region’s transportation and trade sectors.
The airport recorded more than 26.9 million passengers last year, a 2.7 per cent increase compared with 2024. That figure surpasses the previous record of 26.3 million travellers set in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global air travel.
Airport officials say domestic travel remained a key driver of growth, rising 3.8 per cent year over year. Passenger traffic between Vancouver and Asia Pacific destinations also climbed sharply, increasing by 15.6 per cent, highlighting renewed demand for international connections important to British Columbia’s tourism and business sectors.
In contrast, travel between Vancouver and U.S. destinations declined by 7.1 per cent, a shift the airport says reflects changing travel patterns and market conditions.
Cargo volumes also reached a new milestone. Vancouver International Airport handled about 365,000 tonnes of goods in 2025, up 7.4 per cent from the previous year. The airport plays a key role in supporting B.C.’s supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive goods such as seafood, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce shipments.
