Airlines Global Market Report 2025

The airlines market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $554.53 billion in 2024 to $594.33 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to deregulation of airline industry, globalization and open skies agreements, economic fluctuations, strategic alliances and mergers, shift in consumer preferences.

The airlines market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $827.27 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to recovery from global events, evolving travel regulations, sustainability focus, demand for premium services, regional market expansion. Major trends in the forecast period include digital transformation, sustainability and eco-friendly practices, personalized customer experience, technological innovations, health and safety measures.

The forecast of 8.6% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through cumulative supply chain disruptions for aircraft, components, and software, sourced from key global regions, which could lead to increased operational costs and higher ticket prices.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

An increase in the number of air passengers is anticipated to drive the growth of the airline market in the coming years. An air passenger is defined as an individual traveling on an aircraft. Air travel facilitates the movement of both passengers and freight globally, significantly influencing a region's social and economic development as well as its sustainability. For example, in October 2024, Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based statistical agency of the European Union, reported that during the first quarter of 2.02 trillion air passengers were transported across the EU, reflecting an 11.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Thus, the rising number of air passengers is propelling the growth of the airline market.

The burgeoning tourism industry is poised to serve as a pivotal driver propelling the growth of the airline market in the foreseeable future. As a comprehensive economic sector, the tourism industry's multifaceted activities significantly bolster the airline sector. Increased global travel demands from tourists and business travelers augment passenger volumes, necessitating route expansions and bolstering overall revenue for airlines. A case in point is the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment's report from December 2022, indicating a notable upswing in tourism spending in New Zealand, reaching $26.5 billion, marking a 2.7% growth compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to a surge of 335.3% in overseas visitor arrivals, totaling 229,370, contributing significantly to the country's GDP by generating $10 billion, representing 3% of the GDP. Hence, the burgeoning tourism industry serves as a driving force behind the expansion of the airline market.

Strategic partnerships have emerged as a prevailing trend gaining prominence within the airline market, with numerous companies leveraging collaborations to fortify their market positions. Notable examples include Air India's partnership with Alaska Airlines in November 2023, enabling seamless connections for Air India passengers across 32 destinations in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Similarly, the alliance between Air France-KLM Group, Delta Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic in January 2023 introduced a pioneering partnership aimed at offering passengers increased flexibility in flight bookings across various airlines. These strategic alliances underscore the growing trend of partnerships in the airline industry, emphasizing enhanced convenience and reliability for passengers while strengthening the market presence of the collaborating companies.

Airlines are businesses engaged in providing regular services for transporting passengers or cargo using aircraft. They may collaborate with other airlines through codeshare agreements to operate joint flights.

The primary categories of airline transport include domestic and international flights. Domestic flights are commercial flights within a single country. Airlines utilize various types of aircraft, including narrow-body, wide-body, regional jets, business jets, and freighters, serving diverse applications for passenger and cargo transportation.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.

The airlines market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides airlines for animal market statistics, including airlines industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with airlines market share, detailed airlines market segments, market trends and opportunities and any further data you may need to thrive in the airline's industry. This airline's market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Prominent entities within the airline market are intensifying their efforts to introduce innovative digital skylights as a strategic advantage in the competitive landscape. These cutting-edge digital skylights are lighting systems meticulously designed to replicate the natural sunlight appearance indoors, leveraging advanced LED technology coupled with dynamic lighting controls. In a notable development during October 2023, Rosen Aviation, a US-based company specializing in aircraft interior decoration, unveiled a groundbreaking 130-inch composite digital skylight tailored for aircraft interiors. Branded as the Digital Skylight, this product features a lightweight composite display chassis and curved OLED panels, allowing complete customization with panel sizes ranging from 42 inches to 77 inches in various configurations. The composite chassis accommodates diverse video imagery, catering to a wide array of applications. Rosen Aviation excels in crafting personalized cabin displays and management systems for private and chartered jets, emphasizing innovation in enhancing in-flight experiences.

In March 2022, WestJet Group, a prominent Canada-based Airlines and Aviation company, successfully acquired Sunwing Airlines Inc. and Sunwing Vacations Inc. The acquisition, valued at an undisclosed amount, signifies WestJet Group's dedication to expanding accessible air travel and broadening holiday package options for all Canadians, with a primary focus on leisure and sun travel accessibility nationwide. Sunwing Airlines Inc. and Sunwing Vacations Inc., both Canada-based entities, specialize in airline operations and comprehensive vacation, tourism, and travel services, consolidating WestJet Group's commitment to offering a diverse range of travel options while prioritizing leisure and sun travel experiences across the country. This strategic acquisition aims to augment WestJet Group's market presence and strengthen its position in the aviation and travel industry, facilitating increased accessibility and choice for Canadian travelers.

Major companies operating in the airlines market include Air France-KLM S.A., American Airlines Group Inc., Ana Holdings Inc., British Airways PLC., Delta Air Lines Inc., Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Hainan Airlines Co. Ltd., Japan Airlines Co. Ltd., LATAM Airlines Group S.A., Qantas Airways Limited, Ryanair Holdings Plc, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines Co., Thai Airways International PCL, United Airlines Holdings Inc., WestJet Airlines Ltd., Air Canada, Alaska Air Group, Allegiant Travel Company, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S/A, Copa Holdings S.A., Emirates Group, Finnair Oyj, Hawaiian Holdings Inc., International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A., JetBlue Airways Corporation, Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd., Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, Spirit Airlines Inc., Turkish Airlines Inc., Virgin Australia Holdings Limited, Volaris Aviation Holding Company, Wizz Air Holdings Plc, Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the airline market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the airlines market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the airlines market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the airlines market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The airline market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as meals, refreshments, checked bags, light entertainment and amenities. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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