Aviation plays a critical role for people and businesses in the growing central Puget Sound region. Along with the region’s population and job growth, air passenger traffc and cargo volumes have reached record levels and are expected to increase. PSRC is leading a Regional Aviation Baseline Study to provide a clear picture of the aviation activities and needs in the region and set the stage for future planning efforts. As part of this study, PSRC has released forecasts of unconstrained demand for commercial aviation, air cargo and general aviation.
COMMERCIAL AVIATION DEMAND FORECAST
Regional demand for commercial aviation, representing scheduled passenger service, is closely tied to national economic trends as well as regional economic and demographic trends. Recent population, employment and income growth in the region is driving aviation demand and this trend is expected to continue. In addition, the region is an expanding hub for connections to Asia, further increasing demand for fights.
GENERAL AVIATION DEMAND FORECAST
General aviation encompasses aviation activities for business, fight instruction, medical, emergency, law enforcement, recreation, and tourism. Recreational fights have seen a gradual decline for decades nationally, due to increasing costs, competition from other activities, and lower commercial airfares while business and for proft aviation are forecast to increase. Demand for general aviation operations is expected to grow from 1,351,000 in 2017 to 1,806,000 by 2050, an increase of 34%
AIR CARGO DEMAND FORECAST
Air cargo includes freight and mail carried in the lower hold of passenger aircraft as well as cargo on dedicated freighters. Globalization and e-commerce are international trends that are driving dramatic air cargo growth. Strong state exports and increasing international fights are also driving regional air cargo growth. Demand for regional air cargo capacity is expected to grow from 552,000 metric tons in 2018 to 1,300,000 by 2050, an increase of 136%.
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