the air transport market | Italy

1.1 Definition and scope of study

The air transport market covers the entire transportation of passengers or cargo by air. Although most air transportation is carried out by airlines operating between different airports, there are different types of air carriers: scheduled airlines (local-regional, domestic or international), airline alliances and low-cost carriers.

Globally, the growth of the air travel market came to a major halt in 2020 due to the recent pandemic but is estimated to grow again in the coming years mainly due to border reopenings. 

The estimated value for this industry was $359.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $471.8 billion in 2021. 

In Italy, the air transport market for both passengers and cargo can also be considered to be growing again after Covid19. In particular, considerable growth can be seen in the past between 1990 and 2001. From that moment the growth of the market did not stop until 2020, when the Covid19 pandemic imposed a general stop.

In the past, this sector has benefited from such significant growth certainly due to liberalization, economic growth and market integration. 

As far as passenger traffic is concerned, a study has conducted research on the airlines most loved by Italians and the results see Ryanair, EasyJet, Lufthansa, Air France, etc. at the top of the list. 

The main challenges in the passenger air transport market today are the management of the economic and financial consequences of Covid-19, as well as the evolution of the various ancillary services offered to consumers (meals, wifi, insurance, luggage, etc.) in order to increase passengers' perception of the value of their journeys.

On the other hand, with regard to cargo, we note an important growth in their movement by air in recent years. In fact, it is estimated that in 2017 air cargo shipments in Italy reached 1.1 tons, thus recording an increase of 9.2% compared to previous years.