Representative ImageAsia is set to become the powerhouse of global aviation growth, with India, China, and Southeast Asia predicted to dominate eight of the world's ten fastest-growing air travel markets from 2024 to 2044. This projection comes from a whitepaper released by Alton Aviation Consultancy ahead of the 2026 Singapore Airshow.
The report reveals that international traffic in the Asia-Pacific region surged by 8.0% in 2025, surpassing the global Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPK) growth of 6.8%. Since 2015, airlines in the region have introduced over 600 new routes, enhancing connectivity to underserved destinations.
India emerges as a key player, driven by strong economic fundamentals and a burgeoning middle class. Whilst China maintains its dominant position, Southeast Asia, led by Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, is also gaining momentum. Mabel Kwan, Managing Director at Alton's Singapore office, noted, “Asia’s air travel story is no longer just about China. The growth we’re seeing in South and Southeast Asia is broad-based.”
The whitepaper also highlights the potential of unserved routes, with longer-range narrowbody aircraft enabling new point-to-point services between secondary cities. Additionally, Asia-Pacific now accounts for approximately 40% of global air cargo demand, underscoring the region's pivotal role in global supply chains.
Airline consolidation is on the rise as carriers adapt to cost pressures and competitive challenges. Adam Cowburn, another Managing Director at Alton, remarked, “Consolidation has become a strategic necessity for many airlines in Asia.”
Governments and airport operators are responding by advancing infrastructure programmes and adopting next-generation technologies to enhance capacity and efficiency, supporting the region's continued aviation growth
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