Asian aviation expected to grow in 2026

VTV.vn - The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) forecasts that the regional aviation industry will continue to grow in 2026 thanks to strong travel demand.

Asia- Pacific aviation industry to continue growing in 2026

The Association of Asia- Pacific Airlines (AAPA) forecasts that the regional aviation industry will continue to grow in 2026 thanks to strong travel demand, despite geopolitical tensions and supply chain pressures. AAPA said that in the first nine months of 2025, international passenger traffic will increase by 10% and cargo demand will increase by 7%. China and India will continue to be the main drivers as direct flights resume after five years.

Meanwhile, Airbus Asia-Pacific President Anand Stanley said the region will remain the fastest-growing aviation market over the next 20 years, thanks to the rise of the middle class, commercial and tourism demand for long-range and high-capacity aircraft, and the expansion of new airports.

Airbus predicts that passenger traffic in the region will grow by 4.4% per year over the next two decades, exceeding the global average of 3.6%. The European aircraft maker notes that the region needs to buy 19,560 new aircraft over the next 20 years – including about 3,480 wide-body aircraft and 16,080 narrow-body aircraft – not only to replace aging aircraft but also to expand its business.

In a similar vein, Dave Schulte, Boeing's managing director of marketing for the Asia-Pacific region, said Southeast Asia would be the fastest-growing region with an annual growth rate of 7% in air passenger traffic due to the growing middle class. Boeing forecasts the Southeast Asian market will need 4,885 new aircraft by 2044 - 80% of which will be narrowbody aircraft - up from 1,240 aircraft in service in 2024.

Source: https://vtv.vn/hang-khong-chau-a-du-kien-tang-truong-trong-nam-2026-100251208224145847.htm