Air Traffic Boom Through 2025

Total world airline scheduled passenger traffic in terms of passenger-kilometers is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.6 per cent through 2025, half a percentage point lower than the growth rate achieved over the period 1985-2005, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Total freight traffic growth over the same period is forecast to be stronger, at 6.6 per cent per annum in terms of freight ton-kilometers International traffic is expected to continue to grow faster than total traffic, at 5.3 per cent per annum for passenger-kilometers and 6.9 per cent per annum for freight ton-kilometers. The total number of departures and distance flown on domestic and international services of scheduled airlines are expected to more than double over the 2005-2025 period. The airlines of the Middle East and Asia/Pacific regions are expected to show the highest growth in both passenger and freight traffic. All international route groups are anticipated to grow at average rates ranging from 3.5 per cent to 6.6 per cent per annum over the forecast period. The fastest growing route groups are those to, from and within the Asia/Pacific region.