An analysis of the air passenger data for Belgium from 2013 to 2023 reveals notable trends:
- The period from 2013 to 2019 saw consistent annual growth in the number of air passengers, peaking at 14.279 million in 2019.
- The year 2020 experienced a dramatic decline of 75.34% due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, dropping to 3.5208 million passengers.
- A significant recovery began in 2021 with a 53.49% increase, followed by a remarkable 128.29% rise in 2022.
- By 2023, the number of air passengers rebounded to 14.773 million, close to pre-pandemic levels, marking a 19.74% year-on-year increase.
From 2024 onward, moderate growth is forecasted, averaging a 1.24% CAGR over the next five years, with a projected increase to 15.969 million passengers by 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Changes in global and local travel restrictions and policies will significantly impact air travel demand and growth.
- Advancements in sustainable aviation technology and shifts in consumer preferences toward eco-friendly travel could influence passenger numbers.
- Economic fluctuations and fuel price volatility may also play a critical role in future air travel trends.
