Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its World Airport Traffic Forecasts (WATF) 2025–2054, projecting sustained long-term growth in global passenger demand while warning that mounting capacity and operational constraints could limit the industry’s ability to keep pace.
According to the forecast, global passenger traffic is expected to reach 10.2 billion in 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9%. Over the longer term, passenger numbers are projected to climb to 18.8 billion by 2045, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. ACI World said demand growth will be driven largely by emerging and developing markets, although expansion is expected to remain uneven across regions.
The report highlights that rising demand is occurring alongside increasing pressure on airport systems worldwide. ACI World identified key constraints including limited airport infrastructure, delays in aircraft deliveries, supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty and tightening sustainability requirements. These challenges, the organisation noted, are likely to be more acute in certain regions, creating operational bottlenecks and complicating network planning.
“The forecast sends a clear signal to the global aviation community: long-term growth is not guaranteed without coordinated action,” said ACI World Director General, Justin Erbacci. “To accommodate rising demand, the industry must accelerate investment in airport infrastructure, airspace capacity and operational resilience, while strengthening collaboration across airports, airlines, governments, regulators and industry partners.”
Erbacci warned that failure to act collectively could undermine both service quality and economic outcomes. He said capacity constraints risk directly affecting the reliability of the passenger journey, while insufficient investment could result in missed regional and national economic development opportunities.
ACI World stressed that aviation remains a critical driver of global economic activity, accounting for about 3.9% of global GDP, according to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). Ensuring the sector can sustainably absorb future demand growth, the organisation said, is therefore not only an industry priority but a broader global economic imperative.
The full World Airport Traffic Forecasts 2025–2054 report provides detailed regional analysis and is intended to support strategic planning and investment decisions across the global aviation ecosystem.
