IATA: Industry expects 800 Million More Travelers by 2014 - China biggest contributor

Singapore: The industry consensus forecast released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that by 2014 there will be 3.3 billion air travelers, up by 800 million from the 2.5 billion in 2009. By 2014 international aviation will handle 38 million tonnes of air cargo, up 12.5 million tonnes from the 26 million tonnes carried in 2009. “China will be the biggest contributor of new travelers. Of the 800 million new travelers expected in 2014, 360 million (45%) will travel on Asia Pacific routes and of those 214 million will be associated with China (181 million domestic and 33 million international).

“The US will remain the largest single country market for domestic passengers (671 million) and international passengers (215 million),” IATA said in a statement. Despite some regional differences, the forecast indicates that the world will continue to become more mobile, it said. “This creates enormous opportunities but also presents some challenges. In five years we need to be able to handle 800 million more passengers and 12.5 million more tonnes of international cargo.

“To realize the economic growth potential that this will bring, we will need even more efficient air traffic management, airport facilities and security programs. Industry and governments will be challenged to work together even more closely,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO, in a statement. “The shadow of the global economic recession is expected to remain over parts of the industry for some time to come. Sluggish growth rates in Europe and North America are not only the result of being mature markets. Lingering consumer debts, high unemployment and austerity measures will dampen growth rates,” he said.

According to him, the focus of the industry will continue to shift eastward. “By 2014, 1 billion people will travel by air in Asia Pacific. That's 30% of the global total and a 4 percentage point increase from the 26% it represented in 2009. The same is true for cargo where Asia Pacific will account for 28% of global volumes,” said Bisignani.

-thestar online.