The number of airline passengers could double to 8.2 billion in 2037, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a 20-year forecast on October 24.

“Aviation is growing, and that is generating huge benefits for the world. A doubling of air passengers in the next 20 years could support 100 million jobs globally,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO, as quoted in an IATA press release.

According to the forecast, the Asia-Pacific region will contribute more than half of the total number of new passengers over the next two decades. 

China is projected to displace the US as the world’s largest aviation market in the mid-2020s, while India will take 3rd place after the US, surpassing the UK. Indonesia is forecast to rise from the world’s 10th largest aviation market in 2017 to the 4th largest by 2030. Thailand is expected to enter the top 10 markets in 2030, replacing Italy which drops out of the rankings.

IATA’s global passenger traffic data for August 2018 showed that demand climbed 6.4 percent year on year. All regions recorded increases, led by airlines in the Asia-Pacific region.-VNA