Airports Council International (ACI) World has forecast global passenger traffic will reach 10.2 billion in 2026, rising to 18.8 billion by 2045, as long-term demand growth continues to reshape the aviation sector.
In its latest long-range outlook, ACI said global passenger volumes are projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.4%, with demand driven primarily by emerging and developing markets.
The airport body warned that growth is becoming increasingly uneven across regions and will be constrained by infrastructure limitations, aircraft delivery delays and wider supply chain disruption. It added that geopolitical uncertainty and sustainability requirements are also adding to operational complexity.
ACI World director general Justin Erbacci said the forecast underlined the need for coordinated investment in airport infrastructure, airspace capacity and operational resilience to prevent future bottlenecks and missed economic opportunities.
The forecasts cover passenger traffic, cargo and aircraft movements across 176 markets over a 30-year period.