The global aviation industry is preparing for a future where it could handle up to 10 billion passengers a year by 2050 – without doubling the number of airports, aircraft or border officials. Instead, technology is expected to drive much of the industry's future growth.
According to the 2025 Impact Report from global aviation technology company SITA, airlines, airports and governments are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics and digital systems to improve efficiency, reduce delays and lower emissions.
The report cites International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that passenger numbers will reach eight billion a year within the next 20 to 25 years before climbing to around 10 billion by 2050.
SITA CEO David Lavorel said the challenge is accommodating far more travellers using existing infrastructure. "Airports are increasing capacity within their existing buildings, governments are clearing passengers before they even reach border control, and AI is moving from pilot projects into day-to-day operations," he said.
One of the biggest changes is at border control. In Aruba, travellers using digital travel credentials and biometric identification can complete immigration checks in as little as eight seconds – a 78% improvement on previous processing times. More than 271 million passengers a year now undergo automated risk assessments before arrival, with most checks completed in under four seconds.
Efficiency
Artificial intelligence is also helping airlines operate more efficiently. SITA's OptiFlight system analyses flight data to recommend fuel-saving flight paths. During 2025, it processed 2.9 million flights for 59 airlines, saving more than 127 000 tonnes of fuel and preventing the release of about 404 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
At airports including Toronto Pearson and Abu Dhabi, AI is helping reduce aircraft turnaround times, allowing more flights to operate from existing facilities. Meanwhile, Thai Airways has introduced AI-powered baggage routing that cuts the time needed to rebook delayed luggage from three minutes to just one second.
Technology is also improving the industry's ability to cope with disruption. During trials in France, advanced weather information shared between air traffic controllers, pilots and airlines reduced weather-related delays by up to 65%, saving around 105 000 minutes over 21 days.
Lost luggage is another area showing major improvement. Through SITA's partnership with Apple – and now Google – airlines using Apple AirTags with the WorldTracer baggage tracking system have reduced permanently lost bags by 90% when location sharing is enabled.
SITA also reported strong financial results in 2025, with revenue increasing 7% to US$1.71 billion. The company has also reduced its own carbon emissions by 32% compared with 2019 levels and now sources 90% of the electricity used in its offices from renewable energy.
The company says digital innovation, rather than major infrastructure expansion, will be key to meeting the growing demand for air travel over the coming decades.
