Latin American passengers to double their travel in the next two decades

26-10-23

• Airbus report reveals that passenger traffic in the region will increase from 0.44 annual trips per capita in 2019 to 0.87 annual trips per capita in 2042.

According to Airbus' latest Global Market Forecast (GMF), per capita travel rates will nearly double in Mexico and more than double in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia.

Overall, traffic will grow by 2.2% over the next 20 years, equivalent to 2,390 new passenger and cargo aircraft. Of these 2,390 new passenger and freighter aircraft, 190 will be widebody and 2,200 will be single-aisle, representing 92% of new aircraft deliveries in Latin America, making the region a predominantly single-aisle market.

The trend to fly more is driven by the projected growth of the middle class from 400 million to 490 million people by 2042, representing 67% of the Latin American and Caribbean population. In addition, the high penetration of Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) has made air travel more affordable, representing 50% of the total seats offered domestically in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico show the highest penetrations of the LCC model in the region.

The growth of e-commerce in Latin America has led to increased demand for air cargo services over the past two decades and origin and destination (O&D) cargo traffic to, from and within Latin America is projected to nearly double by 2042.

The GMF also projects O&D passenger traffic to increase by 3.5% annually in Latin America, doubling over the next 20 years. Domestic traffic will grow at a rate of more than 3.8% per year, while intra-regional traffic will increase by 3.2%.

The in-service fleet in Latin America will almost double from 1,440 aircraft currently in service to 2,630 over the next two decades. Of these, 240 aircraft will be retained, 1,200 will be used to replace less fuel-efficient aircraft, and 1,190 aircraft will represent growth in demand.

Airbus has sold more than 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 750 are in operation across the region, with more than 520 on order, representing a 58% market share of passenger aircraft in service. Since 1994, Airbus has won 75% of net orders in the region.