In this “ICAO’s Strategic Goals Explained” article series, we are exploring the six Strategic Goals that will guide our global aviation vision through 2050. These goals reflect ICAO’s commitment to a safe, secure, sustainable, efficient and inclusive air transport system—one that connects the world and leaves no one behind.
Aviation is more than a means of transport—it is a catalyst for economic growth, trade, and development. Our Strategic Goal on Economic Development through Air Transport focuses on building an affordable, viable, and well-connected global aviation system that supports prosperity for all. From infrastructure to innovation, this goal helps ensure that air transport contributes to broader socio-economic progress in every region of the world.
Why economic development through aviation matters
Aviation supports jobs, tourism, trade, supply chains, and cross-border collaboration. A study reports that 3.9 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) is supported by the aviation sector. For many countries—especially landlocked, island, or developing States—aviation is essential, providing vital links to markets, services, and opportunity.
This Strategic Goal reflects our belief that aviation is a public good—one that must be developed responsibly, fairly, and inclusively. We are committed to building a global air transport system that delivers shared economic benefits and fosters prosperity in every region.
Strengthening connectivity: Priorities for 2026–2028
In the upcoming triennium, we will continue to advance the economic development of air transport by focusing on key priorities:
- Enhancing global connectivity through balanced liberalization, fair competition, improved access to markets and enhanced consumer protection frameworks.
- Developing and modernizing aviation infrastructure, especially in developing regions, with attention on airport capacity, runway upgrades, and advanced navigation systems.
- Convening global dialogues, such as the Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf/7) in 2026, which will address air transport regulatory issues and other strategic economic policies.
- Facilitating bilateral and multilateral agreements through ICAO Air Services Negotiation (ICAN) events—creating a platform for States and other stakeholders to strengthen international air service relations.
- Promoting innovative financing models and public-private partnerships to help close infrastructure funding gaps.
- Making significant progress in advancing the field of aviation statistics, data, and analytics to support evidence-based planning and policy implementation by its Member States.
- Delivering long-term traffic forecasts to Member States through ICAO’s big data analytical dashboards and serve as a strategic tool for long-term planning, capacity building, and investment prioritization.
- Working on advanced analytical tools development, including the Air Connectivity Index and the Global Aviation Competitiveness Index. These tools allow Member States to assess and benchmark their performance across key dimensions such as air services liberalization, infrastructure investment, airline ownership and control, and market concentration.
- Providing official statistics reported by Member States to the United Nations for the purpose of monitoring the progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We will also support the development of emerging aviation sectors—like drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)—ensuring that regulatory frameworks evolve to support economic opportunity while maintaining fairness and safety.
Global passenger traffic is projected to triple by 2050, reaching nearly 12 billion travellers annually. Our long-term vision is to support that growth in a way that is economically viable, socially inclusive, and sustainably managed.
That means strengthening the foundations of global aviation—from infrastructure and investment to market access and workforce development—while ensuring that no State is left behind in the process.
Through the Multi-Disciplinary Working Group on Long-Term Traffic Forecasts (MDWG-LTF), ICAO regularly updates its long-term traffic projections up to 2050 by integrating the latest global economic trends and indicators, which are also utilized to calculate carbon emissions by international aviation. These updated forecasts are available to Member States through ICAO’s big data analytical dashboards as a strategic tool for long-term vision, planning, capacity building, and investment to meet future demand with optimized supply.We are working to align aviation growth with the United Nations SDGs, ensuring that air transport contributes meaningfully to inclusive development, regional integration, and improved quality of life around the world.
Recovery and progress: 2022–2025
In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked closely with our Member States to support aviation recovery and unlock new pathways for growth. During the 41st ICAO Assembly in 2022, States reaffirmed aviation’s role in economic recovery and emphasized the need for greater liberalization and investment.We supported international dialogue on airline ownership and investment rules, encouraged innovative policy frameworks, and facilitated dozens of new air service agreements through ICAN events—helping States reconnect, rebuild, and grow stronger together.
ICAO has provided interactive dashboards using the tableau platform, which give visualization and customized querying capabilities in a timely manner, enabling the Member States as well as stakeholders to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and other regional crises’ impacts on the aviation industry for their effective and smooth recovery.
As aviation continues to expand and evolve, ICAO’s Strategic Goal on Economic Development through Air Transport provides a clear pathway for growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and globally connected. By fostering innovation, strengthening connectivity, and ensuring that every State can participate fully, we are building an aviation system that creates opportunities and supports development across all regions.
This topic is also featured in our ICAO Explained video series, which explains ICAO’s work in aviation topics to a general audience. Watch the episode on Economic Development to see how aviation contributes to prosperity around the world.
This article is part of our ongoing series, “ICAO’s Strategic Goals Explained,” which explores the six goals guiding our work through 2050. Up next:
Aviation Law that Responds to Global Needs: Adapting the Legal Framework for a Changing World.
The ICAO 2026-2050 Strategic Plan is shared below.