IATA says UAE’s air passenger numbers to grow 5.6% by 2034 – IATA

Air passenger growth in the UAE is forecast to grow 5.6 per cent by 2034, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Globally, IATA projected that passenger numbers are expected to reach 7.3 billion by 2034, representing a 4.1 per cent average annual growth.

Over the next two decades, the five fastest growing markets in terms of additional passengers are China (856 million new passengers per year), the US (559 million), India (266 million), Indonesia (183 million) and Brazil (170 million).

The report also forecast that China is expected to overtake the US as the world’s largest passenger market by 2030. Both markets, however, are expected to remain the largest by a wide margin. In 2034 flights to, from and within China will account for some 1.3 billion passengers, 856 million more than 2014 with an average annual growth rate of 5.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, traffic to, from and within the US is expected to grow at an average annual growth rate of 3.2 per cent that will see 1.2 billion passengers by 2034 (559 million more than 2014).

Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO said that air connectivity on this scale will help transform economic opportunities for millions of people. At present, aviation helps sustain 58 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in economic activity. In 20 years’ time we can expect aviation to be supporting around 105 million jobs and $6 trillion in GDP.

Although improved living standards, population growth, price and availability create conditions for improved demand, Tyler said that policy-induced obstacles could hinder growth. There is great potential if all aviation stakeholders—including governments—play their role