Airlines expect overall passenger numbers to double over the next two decades from the 4.3 billion who flew last year, with growth led by emerging markets such as the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, according to the main global airline body.
The projected surge in traffic could put further pressure on carriers to contribute to the fight against climate change and make progress towards a pledge to reach “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050.
People watch a passenger plane from low-cost Indonesian airline Pelita Air taxi on a runway in Aceh province. Asia is set to lead annual airline passenger growth. Photo. AFP
Average annual passenger growth is expected to be 3.6 per cent a year to 2043, compared with a forecast of 9.7 per cent growth this year, the International Air Transport Association said in its latest update.
The Asia-Pacific region would lead with average growth of 4.8 per cent, propelled by countries like India (6.9 per cent) and China (5.8 per cent) but also Thailand and Vietnam (6.4 per cent each), the IATA said.
Passenger growth in Africa and the Middle East would rise by 3.6 per cent, while Latin American and the Caribbean would see a 2.9 per cent increase.
A Delta plane takes off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. Growth in the North American market is forecast to hover around 1.7 per cent. Photo: Bloomberg
The mature markets of North America and Europe would see growth of 1.7 per cent and 2 per cent, the association said.
Air transport currently accounts for less than 3 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, but is often in the firing line because it serves a minority of the world’s population.
Airlines are mainly betting on increased production of sustainable aviation fuels produced from renewable sources, expected to provide 65 per cent of the industry’s “net zero” target for 2050.
But the technological challenges of producing such fuels at scale – they currently provide just 0.53 per cent of airlines’ fuel consumption – are likely to require huge investments.
