Air Travel to Soar to 9.8 Billion Passengers by 2025
Air travel is set to soar, with global passenger numbers projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2025. The growth, driven by strong international demand, underscores aviation's role in mobility and economic growth. The Airport Council International (ACI) World's World Airport Traffic Report, covering over 2,800 airports worldwide, paints this optimistic picture.
By 2025, Europe is forecast to exceed 2.5 billion passengers, primarily due to international travel. The Middle East will rise to 466 million passengers, supported by investment and tourism, despite persistent geopolitical risks. Asia-Pacific is expected to lead with 3.6 billion passengers, driven by Southern and Southeast Asia. Africa is projected to reach 273 million passengers, reflecting robust tourism and a growing middle class.
Justin Erbacci, ACI World Director-General, emphasizes the need for supportive policies for long-term resilience and growth. He highlights the importance of policies that strengthen connectivity and support the industry's resilience. Passenger numbers in 2025 are projected to grow 3.7% year-on-year, with international traffic expected to expand by 5.3%.
To ensure sustainable growth, governments are implementing policies that promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the world market. The EU Directive 2023/2413 mandates the use of SAF, while incentives encourage airlines to exceed minimum quotas in the world news. These measures aim to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and ensure the long-term resilience and sustainable growth of the aviation sector.
