10.2 billion passengers forecasted in 2026; 18.8 billion by 2045, confirming sustained long-term demand
Montreal, 28 January 2026 – Airports Council International (ACI) World today released its World Airport Traffic Forecasts 2025–2054, the industry’s most comprehensive and authoritative outlook on global airport traffic.
Key highlights
• Global passenger traffic forecasted to reach 10.2 billion in 2026 (+3.9% YoY).
• Long-term demand remains strong with global passenger traffic projected to double by 2045 and reach 18.8 billion (3.4% CAGR).
• Although demand shows structural strength, it is increasingly uneven across regions, with mounting capacity constraints.
Sustained growth outlook holds
The long-term outlook is firmly positive. Global passenger traffic demand is projected to more than double by the mid-2040s, driven primarily by emerging and developing markets.
However, this growth is increasingly accompanied by:
• Capacity constraints, such as airport infrastructure limitations and aircraft delivery challenges.
• Uneven regional growth, with some markets significantly outperforming while others structurally lag.
• Operational complexity, driven by supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty and sustainability imperatives. (....)