Global airline passengers expected to more than double in next 20 years: IATA

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The market for airline passengers is expected to more than double to 7.3 billion people by 2034, the International Air Travel Association said.

And China is expected to overtake the United States as the world's largest air-travel passenger market – in terms of traffic to, from and within the country – by 2030.

An increase to 7.3 billion from the 3.3 billion passengers expected to travel this year represents average annual growth of 4.1 per cent, IATA said on Thursday in its first 20-year passenger growth forecast.

"It is an exciting prospect to think that in the next 20 years more than twice as many passengers as today will have the chance to fly. Air connectivity on this scale will help transform economic opportunities for millions of people," IATA director-general and chief executive officer Tony Tyler said.

"At present, aviation helps sustain 58 million jobs and $2.4-trillion (U.S.) in economic activity. In 20 years' time we can expect aviation to be supporting around 105 million jobs and $6-trillion in GDP."

Among the report's highlights:

• By 2034 the 5 fastest-increasing markets in terms of additional passengers per year will be China with 856 million new passengers per year, the U.S. (559 million), India (266 million), Indonesia (183 million) and Brazil (170 million)
• 8 of the 10 fastest-growing markets in percentage terms will be in Africa with the 5 top growth markets being Central African Republic, Madagascar, Tanzania, Burundi and Kuwait
• Asia-Pacific is expected to post annual growth rates of 4.9 per cent per year over the next 20 years
• North America is forecast to grow by 3.3 per cent annually in the next 20 years
• The slowest growth rate will be in Europe, with 2.7 per cent, according to the forecast
• The Middle East market will expand by 4.9 per cent, while Latin American markets will grow by 4.7 per cent