Global air passenger numbers are set to exceed five billion for the first time next year, and industry revenues will surpass a trillion dollars, International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced.
IATA said: “Passenger numbers are expected to reach 5.2bn in 2025, a 6.7 per cent rise compared to 2024 and the first time that the number of passengers has exceeded the five billion mark”.
All regions are expected to show improved financial performance in 2025 as compared to 2024, and all regions are expected to deliver a collective net profit in both 2024 and 2025.
IATA aviation forecast
“Profitability, however, varies widely by carrier and by region. For example, the collective net profit margin of African airlines is expected to be the weakest at 0.9 percent while carriers in the Middle East are most likely to be the strongest at 8.2 per cent,” IATA said.
Total industry revenues are meanwhile forecast at $1.007tn, helped by falling oil and fuel prices, “the first time that industry revenues top the $1 trillion mark,” IATA said.
The aviation body’s Director General Willie Walsh said in the statement that IATA expected profits of $36.6bn despite “persistent supply chain challenges, infrastructure deficiencies, onerous regulation and a rising tax burden”.
Walsh voiced frustration however at delays to aircraft and engine suppliers, accusing them of failing to meet their commitments
The statement said that 1,254 aeroplanes were delivered to airlines in 2024 – 30 per cent fewer than had been predicted, adding there was a backlog of 17,000 undelivered planes.
The delays were forcing airlines to run older, less efficient planes.
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