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Morris Plains Today
By the People, for the People
Global Aerospace's Annual Jetstream Report Highlights Airport Capacity Challenges as Air Travel Demand Surges
Balancing In-Air Advancements With On-the-Ground Realities
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Global Aerospace's annual Jetstream publication examines the rapid growth in air travel demand worldwide over the past 50 years, which has outpaced airport infrastructure development, leading to increasing delays and cancellations. The report explores technological advancements that have improved air traffic management, but notes that the lack of new runway construction remains a critical bottleneck.
Why it matters
As global air travel demand is projected to double by 2050, driven by growth in emerging markets, the aviation industry faces significant challenges in keeping pace with infrastructure needs. Addressing this capacity crunch will require a multi-pronged approach of technological modernization and strategic airport expansion.
The details
The Jetstream report highlights how air passenger traffic has surged globally since the 1970s, with North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific all seeing dramatic growth. In the U.S., annual passenger numbers have increased from 172 million in 1970 to over 926 million in 2019. Similar trends have played out in Europe and Asia. While in-air technologies like satellite navigation, ADS-B, and data communications have improved airspace efficiency, the report notes that the number of runways at major U.S. airports has only increased by 15% since 1970, despite a 639% rise in passenger enplanements. Expanding airport infrastructure, particularly in congested urban areas, faces significant regulatory, community, and cost hurdles.
- In 1970, U.S. airlines carried about 172 million passengers.
- By 2019, U.S. airlines carried approximately 926 million passengers.
- As of 2023, North American passenger traffic had recovered to over 90% of pre-pandemic levels.
- Global air passenger numbers are projected to double from 4.5 billion in 2019 to over 9.4 billion by 2050.
The players
Global Aerospace
A global aviation insurance provider with over a century of experience, headquartered in the UK with offices worldwide.
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
The trade association for the world's airlines, representing some 290 airlines or 83% of total air traffic.
EUROCONTROL
The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, an intergovernmental organization working to achieve safe and efficient air traffic management across Europe.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The national aviation authority of the United States, responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.
Istanbul Airport
The newest major airport in Europe, opened in 2018 and serving over 80 million passengers annually as of 2024.
What’s next
Global Aerospace plans to continue monitoring trends in air travel demand and airport capacity, and will provide further insights and recommendations in future editions of the Jetstream publication.
The takeaway
Addressing the global air travel capacity crunch will require a multi-faceted approach, including continued technological modernization of air traffic management systems as well as strategic investment in new airport infrastructure and runway expansions, particularly in high-growth markets.
