IATA expects 7bn global air passengers by 2034 amid slower growth

Air passenger numbers worldwide are likely to reach seven billion per year within the next two decades, twice what they are now, IATA said on Thursday. The International Air Transport Association said this was 400 million fewer than forecast previously because of a global economic slowdown, notably in China. IATA said it now expects air passenger numbers to grow 3.8 percent on average each year through 2034, taking the annual figure to double from the 3.5 billion expected this year.