Investment to transform Asia-Pacific and Middle East airports

Airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions are poised to undergo extensive development, with combined investments of $240 billion dedicated to both upgrading existing facilities (brownfield projects) and building new airports (greenfield projects) between 2025 and 2035.

This capital expenditure, revealed today by Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID), the trade association representing over 600 airports from 46 countries/territories, highlights the regions’ commitment to meeting the increasing demand for air travel and cargo.

ACI APAC & MID conducted a comprehensive survey, comprising over 30 key airports from the region to assess airport development needs.

The findings indicate a strategic focus on both modernisation of the existing airports and development of new airport infrastructure.

– Brownfield Development (Modernisation of existing airports): More than $136 billion would be invested to upgrade existing airports, creating an additional 680 million passenger capacity and 14 million tonnes of cargo capacity.

– Greenfield Development (Development of new airports): In excess of $104 billion will be allocated to build new airports, adding 562 million passenger capacity and 57 million tonnes of cargo capacity.

This combined investment will create additional capacity for 1.24 billion passengers – the equivalent of more than 13 airports the size of Dubai (DXB) the world’s busiest airport for international passengers—and 71 million tonnes of cargo capacity, which equals nearly 14 times the cargo throughput of Hong Kong (HKG), the top ranked airport for Cargo in the world.

This significant increase will ensure airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are well-equipped to handle anticipated future growth.

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East president, SGK Kishore, said: “The $240 billion investment is not just about concrete and runways, it’s about socio-economic development in the region.

“Enhanced passenger experiences will stimulate tourism and business travel, while bolstered cargo capacity will streamline supply chains, driving regional trade and development.

“We are committed to working with our member airports and stakeholders to ensure these investments deliver tangible results to the local and regional economies.”

ACI APAC & MID’s director general, Stefano Baronci, said: “The investment marks a critical step in transforming sector and delivering high-quality experience to passengers.

“The investment will create additional capacity in the medium-to-long- term. However, infrastructure development alone cannot support the growth to its full potential.

“In today’s increasingly complex economic landscape, we need the continuous support of governments to further liberalise air transportation and streamline visa policies across region. These are proven drivers of economic development. In contrast, protectionist measures ultimately hinder progress and limit opportunity.”

Between 2025 and 2035, airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are projected to invest approximately $240 billion in infrastructure, reflecting a pragmatic and demand-responsive approach to capacity planning.

Rather than overextending, airports in these regions continue to align investment closely with market conditions and passenger demand forecasts, ensuring capital is deployed efficiently and sustainably.

According to ACI APAC & MID, This disciplined approach reflects a broader commitment to resilient and adaptive infrastructure planning, positioning the sector to support regional growth while maintaining financial prudence and operational agility.

Long-term outlook

By 2053, the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions are expected to serve nearly 11 billion passengers, close to a three-fold increase from the 3.9 billion passengers in 2024.

Balancing investment with financial sustainability

To underpin this extensive infrastructure expansion, appropriate adjustments to airport charges will be essential, notes ACI APAC & MID.

This measure, it says, will enable airports to recover capital expenditure, uphold service standards, and accommodate future operational requirements. Charges are to be carefully balanced to ensure affordability for airlines and passengers, while securing continuous investment in critical infrastructure.

Future built on sustainability and innovation

Sustainability and digitalisation are fundamental to the next generation of airports. This evolution will enable airports to significantly reduce their carbon footprint while providing passengers with faster, smoother, and more efficient travel experiences.