In 2025, passenger traffic in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions is projected by ACI to grow at the fastest rate globally, with a forecasted increase of 7% compared to the world average of 5%. The Apac region alone has a population of 4.7 billion, which ACI expects to rise to between 5.3 billion and 5.5 billion over the next 30 years. In contrast, Europe and North America, which currently have a combined population of 1.3 billion, are projected to reach just 1.4 billion over the same period.
Changi Airport’s new Terminal 5 arrives as the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region is set to become one of the fastest-growing air travel markets over the next two decades, according to projections from Airports Council International (ACI). “The additional capacity at T5 (or Terminal 5) will enable Singapore to ride on the long-term growth of aviation in the region and beyond,” says Changi Airport Group (CAG) in a press release on May 14.
Underscoring this outlook, Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, describes the Apac region as probably the “most dynamic” in terms of growth, innovation and long-term potential. Baronci was speaking to The Edge Singapore shortly before the groundbreaking ceremony for Terminal 5 on May 14. The event comes nearly 12 years after then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first announced plans for a fifth terminal at Changi Airport and the broader Changi East development during his 2013 National Day Rally speech.
