In 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the estimated number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry amounted to just over 2.2 billion people. This represents a 50 percent loss in global air passenger traffic compared to 2019.
Airline passenger traffic
The number of scheduled passengers handled by the global airline industry has increased in all but one of the last decade. Scheduled passengers refer to the number of passengers who have booked a flight with a commercial airline. Excluded are passengers on charter flights, whereby an entire plane is booked by a private group. In 2019, the Asia Pacific region had the highest share of airline passenger traffic accounting for one third of the global total. The region also includes the busiest air routes.
Reasons for growth
Three main reasons are generally cited to explain the ongoing global growth in air travel. First is the increase in low-cost carriers, who have almost doubled their market share over the last 15 years. Second is the growth of the global middle class, especially in China. Both these developments have increased the number of consumers able to afford air travel. Finally, there is also the growth in airport infrastructure spending, led by the Asia Pacific region, which has increased the global carrying capacity.
Number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022
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Number of passengers in millions
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* This figure was taken from a previous edition which was released prior to the coronavirus outbreak and can be accessed here.
** Forecast
Figures prior to 2019 were taken from previous reports. 2021 figure is estimated.
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IATA. (June 30, 2022). Number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/564717/airline-industry-passenger-traffic-globally/
IATA. "Number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022 (in millions)." Chart. June 30, 2022. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/564717/airline-industry-passenger-traffic-globally/
IATA. (2022). Number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022 (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/564717/airline-industry-passenger-traffic-globally/
IATA. "Number of Scheduled Passengers Boarded by The Global Airline Industry from 2004 to 2022 (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/564717/airline-industry-passenger-traffic-globally/
IATA, Number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022 (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/564717/airline-industry-passenger-traffic-globally/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Number of scheduled passengers boarded by the global airline industry from 2004 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph], IATA, June 30, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/564717/airline-industry-passenger-traffic-globally/