Vancouver airport breaks passenger record in 2025

The Vancouver International Airport broke two all-time travel records last year.

The number of Canadians choosing to travel to the U.S. was down substantially in 2025, but it doesn’t seem to have had much impact on business at YVR.

Nearly 27 million passengers made their way through Vancouver International Airport last year, marking a new all-time record. That tops the previous record of 26.3 million passengers, set in 2019.

A news release from the airport revealed that it was also a record-breaking year for cargo shipments, with 365,000 tonnes of goods being moved through YVR last year.

“Strong operations and customer service combined with globally recognized innovation generated record results in 2025,” said Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO of YVR, in the release.

Domestic travel on the rise

As fewer travellers head south of the border, Canadians’ enthusiasm for exploring their own backyard has grown.

YVR says domestic travel last year was up 3.8 per cent, as a number of Canadian airlines pull back on flights to the U.S.

Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines have all announced changes to their networks, as many travellers choose to spend their vacation dollars closer to home.

Destination Canada President and CEO Marsha Walden recently told CTV News that the increase of travel within Canada is a national trend.

“Notably, interprovincial spending recorded a higher year-over-year increase than intraprovincial spending, highlighting a growing appetite to travel farther afield,” Walden said.

The Canada Strong Pass also encouraged Canadians to stay home, by offering free or discounted admission to sites and landmarks across the country.

The pass, which is available again this year, was linked to a 6.5 per cent increase in Via Rail ridership, a 13 per cent jump in visitors at Parks Canada sites and a 15 per cent increase in national museum visits.

Travellers looking beyond Canada

The number of Canadians packing their bags for international destinations beyond the U.S. is also on the rise.

According to Flight Centre, trips to the Caribbean are up, as well as travel to Europe and Asia.

YVR says their Asia Pacific passenger volumes increased 15.6 per cent year over year.

Last summer they became the first airport in North America to offer regular service to Seoul with South Korean airline T’way Air.

New destinations in 2025 also included a non-stop seasonal service between Vancouver and Costa Rica, which WestJet launched in December.

“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,” Tamara Vrooman added.

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