The Future of Global Aviation 2026

The global aviation industry is entering one of the most dynamic and challenging periods in its history. This has been underscored in recent weeks by the widespread airspace closures and operational disruptions across the Middle East, which have grounded flights, rerouted global traffic and demonstrated just how quickly regional instability can ripple through the entire aviation ecosystem.

In addition, passenger demand has surged past pre-pandemic levels, new technologies are redefining how fleets, infrastructure, and airspace are managed, and emerging markets are shaping a new geography of growth. At the same time, operators face persistent supply chain disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and intensifying pressure to decarbonize at pace.

DLA Piper’s latest report, The Future of Global Aviation 2026, provides an in depth view of how industry leaders are navigating this complex landscape. Drawing on a global survey of 100 senior aviation executives – together with insights from airlines, lessors, regulators, airport operators, and leading OEM stakeholders – the report explores the forces that will determine the sector’s trajectory over the next two years.

Key findings

The research highlights a sector that is both optimistic and exposed:

• Tariffs have already affected supply chains. More than half of respondents (59%) say US tariffs have disrupted global aerospace supply chains to a great extent. Some companies are responding by passing higher costs to customers and revising contracts to include tariff-related clauses, among others.
• AI is moving from strategy to deployment. Nine out of ten airlines and airports plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) in scheduling optimization and predictive maintenance – two of the sector’s highest-impact operational areas. Almost all respondents (98%) rank technology investment as a top strategic priority, confirming that digital transformation has shifted from an aspiration to a necessity in aviation’s growth model.
• SAF is emerging as the leading clean fuel. Alternative fuels are widely expected to shape the aviation industry’s future, with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) viewed as the most viable medium-term option. This view is especially strong in EMEA (91%) and the Americas (86%). Scaling production is the most cited key challenge to meeting long-term climate goals.
• Airport infrastructure investment is accelerating. Three-quarters of respondents expect global airport infrastructure investment to rise over the next 24 months. India was flagged by 88% as the leading emerging market, reflecting its ambitious plans to expand its number of operational airports. Strong momentum is also evident in the Middle East.
• Passenger recovery exceeds expectations. Passenger demand has not only recovered but surpassed projections. Nine out of ten respondents say the post-COVID-19 bounce-back exceeded their expectations, with 48% saying this was the case to a great extent.
• Full-service airlines lead growth expectations. Across all regions, the full-service commercial passenger sector is the market segment anticipated to deliver the strongest performance, with 89% of respondents citing growth expectations. The network scale and ability to serve premium and long-haul routes give the segment an enduring advantage.

Across each theme, the report analyzes the opportunities and challenges ahead – spanning tariffs and trade policy, safety and regulatory developments, the future of airport infrastructure, and the commercialization of new forms of flight such as eVTOLs and hydrogen‑powered aircraft.

Download the report

The future of global aviation offers actionable insight for investors, operators, regulators, and innovators shaping the next generation of global air travel.

If you would like to discuss The Future of Global Aviation 2026 report or the market in more detail, please get in touch.