Airports Council International (ACI) World has unveiled its latest 30-year forecasts for the aviation industry, highlighting robust growth despite short-term uncertainties.

ACI World — which advocates for the global airports industry — said in its Airport Traffic Forecasts 2024–2053 that global air cargo is projected to grow steadily, with a CAGR of 2.7% from 2024 to 2043 and 2.4% from 2024 to 2053.

However, ACI World cautioned that evolving trade policies and supply chain disruptions could introduce volatility in the sector.

For the period,  the number of aircraft movements is expected to increase significantly, reaching 149 million by 2043 and 176 million by 2053.

"Airports worldwide will need to prepare for this growth by enhancing operational efficiency and investing in infrastructure," ACI said.

The organisation is projecting significant long-term growth in global passenger traffic. It said that over the next three decades, global passenger numbers are expected to reach 17.7 billion by 2043 and 22.3 billion by 2053, the later nearly 2.4 times the projected volume for 2024.

The projections indicate a steady upward trajectory in global aviation, driven by factors such as rising middle-class travel demand in emerging markets, strengthened international travel, and continued investments in airport infrastructure.