IATA warns Asian aviation growing too fast for region's infrastructure

Fueled by a rising middle class and a surge in low-cost airlines, the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing aviation market in the world, a trend that is already taxing the region's infrastructure and that IATA projects will continue over the next two decades. In 2015, passengers around the world flew 6.5% farther than they did in 2014, while passengers in the Asia-Pacific flew 8.2% more miles. That growth is straining the aviation infrastructure across the region, leading to expressions of concern from IATA and other industry players that basic air travel components such as runway and gate space, as well as air traffic control networks and the requisite pool of skilled laborers won't keep up with rising demand. "The situation is dire. Action is needed now," said Conrad Clifford, IATA's regional VP, Asia-Pacific. According to IATA's latest 20-year passenger forecast, published last month, the Asia-Pacific region will see 7.2b airline passengers in 2035, up from 3.8b this year. If that forecast proves accurate, it will be a larger growth in terms of total travelers than the rest of the world combined. During that same time frame, China is projected to overtake the US as the world's largest aviation market, while India will surpass the UK to take the No. 3 spot on that list.<br/>