Supply snags, political turmoil undercut aviation growth

Aviation industry leaders, meeting ahead of the Singapore Airshow, have raised concerns that supply chain disruptions and increasing geopolitical tensions are impacting global aviation growth, despite a growing demand. The International Air Transport Association head noted that ongoing shortages affecting manufacturers are limiting airline capacity. Geopolitical tensions, like U.S. import tariffs, have disrupted air cargo flows, leading to a decline in Asia–North America shipments, while Europe–Asia volumes increased. The Asia-Pacific region remains the fastest-growing air travel market, driven by China and India, with a 7.3% passenger traffic growth projection for 2026. However, the International Civil Aviation Organization president warned that current systems cannot handle the anticipated tripling in passengers without significant transformation and coordination. There are also concerns about the politicization of aircraft certification, which could undermine aviation norms. European officials have expressed worries over the 'weaponisation' of supply chains, particularly the reliance on rare earth materials dominated by China.