Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association, addressed addressed sustainability goals, including net zero emissions by 2050, and the role of sustainable aviation fuel in his speech at the Changi Aviation Summit 2026 in Singapore.
He reflected on the airline industry’s performance in 2025, noting significant growth post-COVID. Passenger traffic increased by 5.3pc, with the Asia-Pacific region contributing substantially. Cargo volumes also rose, achieving record levels.
For 2026, forecasts predict passenger traffic growth of 4.9pc and cargo by 2.4pc, with Asia-Pacific leading at 7.3pc for passengers and 6pc for cargo. Walsh highlighted challenges such as capacity constraints due to supply chain issues and regulatory hurdles. He emphasised the need for efficient infrastructure and sustainable practices.
Mr Walsh called for government support in production and policy alignment. He also discussed digitalisation efforts to enhance efficiency and passenger experience.
This address underscores the industry’s resilience and future priorities. It advocates for collaboration to overcome obstacles and achieve sustainable growth.
Willie Walsh shared “It is a great pleasure to be in Singapore once again for the Changi Aviation Summit. 2025 was a good year for the airline industry, although I think it’s fair to say that every year looks good after the dreadful experience of going through the COVID crisis.”
“Now turning to 2026, we’re forecasting that passenger traffic will increase by 4.9pc and cargo by 2.4pc. And while these are slightly lower than the growth we witnessed in 2025, they still represent a significant advantage for the airline industry. And again, the Asia-Pacific region will lead the way, making the strongest contribution to passenger growth, expected to be up by about 7.3pc while cargo traffic is expected to grow by 6pc.”
