SAN Breaks Passenger Volume Record in 2025 Setting the Pace for 2026

SAN welcomed a record breaking 25.32 million passengers in 2025 surpassing the previous year’s milestone by 0.3 percent.  Just into the first couple of months in 2026, the increase in travelers continues as airlines now fly to more than 85 destinations around the globe from SAN and have announced new and resumed flights:

• KLM resumes 3x weekly nonstop service to Amsterdam, Netherlands on February 21
• Alaska Airlines begins nonstop service to Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 19
• Southwest Airlines resumes service on March 5 to Kahului/Maui, Hawaii; Puerto Vallarta, MX, Seattle, WA and March 7 to Bozeman, MT and Spokane, WA.

Looking back at 2025, the key drivers behind the record-breaking passenger volume are 14 new and resumed nonstop routes and two international carriers beginning nonstop service. In October, overseas flights from SAN saw a more than 24 percent increase compared to 2024 when KLM inaugurated service to Amsterdam, Netherlands, Copa Airlines began flights to Panama City, Panama, and Lufthansa and Japan Airlines expanded service, respectively, to Munich and Tokyo. Overall international flights, including routes to Mexico and Canada, grew by 8 percent.  

The opening of the new Terminal 1 in September 2025 also added to the record-breaking year.  From October to December 2025, 11 percent more travelers passed though new 19-gate terminal compared to the same period in 2024 when operations were at the former Terminal 1. Contributing significantly to the increase in passengers through the new Terminal 1 was the relocation of JetBlue and Breeze Airways to Terminal 1 from Terminal 2.

SAN looks ahead to continued growth and expanded connectivity as it welcomes travelers through both Terminals 1 and 2 throughout 2026.