In brief...: Air travellers 'will treble'

Feb 15 2008

The number of airline passengers worldwide is expected to grow threefold over the next two decades, plane-making company Airbus has forecast.

Passenger traffic is likely to increase at an average of five per cent per year until 2026, said Airbus in a global forecast made in London.

The company, whose plane wings are made in the UK, said there was likely to be demand for around 24,300 new passenger and freighter aircraft between now and 2026.

This is the equivalent of an average of 1,215 new aircraft a year - up from the forecast figure of 1,130.