In 2017, annual air passengers surpassed 4 billion for the first time with airlines providing service to more than 20,000 cities, according to an International Air Transport Association (IATA) report.
Air passenger numbers jumped 7.3 percent from 2016, representing 280 million more trips.
Airlines in Asia-Pacific carried the most passengers, transporting 1.5 billion passengers. This is a 10.6 percent increase from 2016 and represents a 36.3 percent market share.
The five largest airports for both domestic and international flights also were located in Asia-Pacific.
“In 2000, the average citizen flew just once every 43 months,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA director general and CEO, said. “In 2017, the figure was once every 22 months. Flying has never been more accessible. And this is liberating people to explore more of our planet for work, leisure, and education. Aviation is the business of freedom.”
IATA attributes air passenger growth to lower average airfare, an improved economy globally and airlines improved efficiency.
The majority of passengers, 632 million, were American. The other nations with the most travelers were China, India, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
The five largest airlines in 2017 were American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Emirates Airline, and Southwest Airlines.