The number of global air travellers is expected to nearly double over the next two decades from this year's projected range of 3.8-7.2 billion.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) came to its projection based on a 3.7% annual compound average growth rate (CAGR) it forecasts to 2035.
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the biggest driver of global demand, the global airline body said in regards to its updated 20-Year Passenger Forecast.
The region is expected to be the source of more than half of new passengers over the next 20 years, said IATA director-general Alexandre de Juniac.
China will displace the US as the world's largest aviation market (defined by traffic to, from and within the country) sometime around 2029.
India will overtake the UK for third place in 2026, while Indonesia is set to enter the top 10 at the expense of Italy.
Growth will also increasingly be driven within developing markets.
Over the past decade the developing world's share of total passenger traffic has risen from 24% to nearly 40%, and this trend is set to continue.
The 20-year forecast puts forward three scenarios.
The central scenario foresees a doubling of passengers with a 3.7% annual CAGR.
If trade liberalisation gathers pace, demand could triple the 2015 level, it said.
Conversely, if the current trend towards trade protectionism gathers steam, growth could cool to a 2.5% annual CAGR, which would see passenger numbers reach 5.8 billion by 2035.
"Economic growth is the only durable solution for the world's current economic woes," the French executive said.
"Yet we see governments raising barriers to trade rather than making it easier. If this continues in the long-term, it will mean slower growth and the world will be poorer for it."
For aviation, protectionism could see growth slowing to as low as 2.5% annually.
Not only will that mean fewer new aviation jobs, it would mean that instead of 7.2 billion travellers in 2035, the world will have 5.8 billion.
"The economic impact of that will be broad and hard-felt," said Mr de Juniac.
Whatever scenario is eventually realised, growth will put pressure on infrastructure that is already struggling to cope with demand.
"Runways, terminals, security and baggage systems, air traffic control, and a whole raft of other elements need to be expanded to be ready for the growing number of flyers," he said.
It cannot be done by the industry alone, added Mr de Juniac. Planning for change requires governments, communities and the industry work in concert with one another.
