ASEAN Airports Support USD 244 Billion In GDP, 23.3 Million Jobs

(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor) Dhaka: Airports and the air connectivity the facilities enable supported 23.3 million jobs and contributed USD 244 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, according to a new study.

Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) released the study, titled "Strengthening the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM) for Greater Connectivity within and beyond ASEAN." It is the first comprehensive assessment of the economic contribution of airports across the bloc.

The consultancy InterVISTAS carried out the analysis. It looked at connectivity, policy, infrastructure, and implementation gaps that must be addressed for ASEAN to realize the full potential of the single aviation market.

Direct airport contribution

Airport-related activity alone supported 1.6 million jobs and contributed USD 55 billion to ASEAN's GDP in 2025. This includes direct operations, supply-chain effects, and household spending.

The study also estimated that airport-related activity generated USD 36 billion in tax revenue for governments across 11 ASEAN states. Of this, USD 8 billion came from airport activity and USD 28 billion from its wider catalytic effects.

Rapid growth in connectivity

According to the study, almost all ASEAN member states at least doubled their scheduled seat capacity between 2004 and 2025. Most of the intra-ASEAN growth occurred between 2010 and 2015, when several ASAM-related protocols were signed.

Low-cost carriers have been a major driver. They accounted for 51% of intra-ASEAN seats in 2025, up from 29% in 2008, which has made air travel more affordable across the region.

Key findings

• - Direct air connectivity across ASEAN rose by 358% between 2004 and 2025. The resulting gains are linked to about USD 50.6 billion in GDP and 6 million jobs.
• - Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia recorded the largest employment impacts from airport-related activity, at about 368,000, 335,000, and 282,000 jobs, respectively.
• - Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand posted the largest GDP impacts, at about USD 22 billion, USD 11 billion, and USD 7.7 billion, respectively.
• - An estimated 84.8 million international tourists arrived in ASEAN by air in 2025, spending about USD 127 billion. This is around two-thirds of total international tourism spending in the region.
• - ASEAN airports handled more than 700 million passengers and almost 9 million tonnes of cargo.

Cost of inaction

The study said further gains are possible if ASAM is fully implemented. In an unconstrained scenario, the region could see about 6 million additional intra-ASEAN passengers, an 11.6% increase over 2025 traffic.

This would create about 15,000 aviation-sector jobs and add USD 600 million to GDP. Tourism, trade, investment, and other catalytic effects could add 434,000 more jobs and USD 3.7 billion in GDP.

Combined, the gains would total almost 450,000 jobs and USD 4.3 billion in additional GDP.

Calls for market access, infrastructure

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Director General Stefano Baronci said ASEAN states have made historic progress with ASAM, but there is still room for improvement. He urged governments to address remaining challenges on market access and traffic rights, starting with opening air connectivity to secondary cities so more local economies benefit.

He also said lagging airport infrastructure is a core factor limiting liberalization in Southeast Asia. This affects airlines' ability to fully capitalize on the opportunities ASAM has created.

The study stressed that liberalization alone will not deliver the gains. It must be matched by sufficient airport and airspace capacity and supportive regulatory frameworks.

USD 341 billion investment needed

ASEAN passenger traffic is forecast to more than double over the next decade. ACI estimates the region will need about USD 108 billion in airport investment by 2036 to accommodate this growth.

A further USD 233 billion will be required between 2037 and 2056, when passenger traffic is expected to reach 2.9 billion. This brings the total investment requirement to about USD 341 billion over the next 30 years.

Baronci said airports will have to mobilize significant capital to expand capacity, modernize infrastructure, and stay competitive. He called on ASEAN members to speed up the implementation of existing air services agreements and remove capacity, regulatory, and operational barriers.

Spread the word More from Airports and InfrastructureView All Latest NewsSee All Barcelona adopts“Netflix-style” tourism plan to crack its biggest problemTourismabout 1 hour ago Govt. to reconsider tourist limits, overnight stays on St. Martin's Island: Environment MinisterTourismabout 1 hour ago ASEAN airports support USD 244 billion in GDP, 23.3 million jobsAirports and Infrastructureabout 1 hour ago Bangladesh, EU agree to curb illegal migration, human traffickingNRB Connectabout 2 hours ago Maldivian seeks to lease Airbus A220 narrow-body aircraftFleet and Aircraftabout 4 hours ago Emirates bolsters cargo transport service from South AmericaAviationabout 4 hours ago Grand Sylhet wins Leading Airport Hotel award at SATA 2026Awardsabout 5 hours ago Power bank fire diverts Chennai-bound IndiGo flight to HyderabadAirlines and Routesabout 5 hours ago US-Bangla Airlines cancels Dhaka-Riyadh services until October 21Airlines and Routesabout 5 hours ago Cox's Bazar International Airport set for November inauguration: MillatAirports and Infrastructureabout 5 hours ago Riyadh Airport shutdown disrupts 10 Dhaka flights, affects 3,431 passengersAviationabout 6 hours ago Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan hosts Chattogram-themed buffet dinnerHotelsabout 6 hours ago Bangladesh to promote Nazrul's legacy to strengthen cultural diplomacyArt and Cultureabout 7 hours ago 24 Bangladeshis injured in Riyadh airport missile attack: Expat MinistryNRB Connectabout 7 hours ago Sajek tourist spot closed until further notice, visitors asked to leave by October 13Visa and Travel Updatesabout 23 hours ago Mymensingh International Airport planned near Dhaka, feasibility study to begin soon: MillatAirports and InfrastructureOct 11, 2026 Biman suspends Dhaka-Riyadh flights on October 11, 12Airlines and RoutesOct 11, 2026 ICMAB and de tempête Join Forces to Advance Global Career Pathways for Bangladesh's Accounting ProfessionalsCorporate PulseOct 11, 2026 Egypt, Saudi seek closer tourism cooperation, more visitor arrivalsTourismOct 11, 2026 WTTC mentions key priorities for Europe to strengthen tourism competitivenessTourismOct 11, 2026 Country's first community-based agro-tourism village begins constructionTourismOct 11, 2026 Singapore Airlines marks 40 years of Christchurch serviceAirlines and RoutesOct 11, 2026 Air Arabia signs group-level distribution deal with AmadeusAirlines and RoutesOct 11, 2026 Visiting Thailand could get costlier for Bangladeshi travelers as new fees coming upVisa and Travel UpdatesOct 11, 2026 Indonesia's GMF AeroAsia to run Oman's aviation maintenance facilityMRO and EngineeringOct 11, 2026 Saudi, UAE account for nearly 80pc of MENA business travelTourismOct 11, 2026 Prime Bank offers priority customers healthcare benefits through Plan Medi TripBanking and FinanceOct 11, 2026 Bangladesh, UK agree to tackle organized immigration crimeNRB ConnectOct 11, 2026 Sayeman wins several accolades at SATA for eighth consecutive yearAwardsOct 11, 2026 Radisson Blu Dhaka dubbed Leading Business Hotel at SATA 2026AwardsOct 11, 2026 Hyatt Place Dhaka Uttara wins Best New Hotel Award at SATAAwardsOct 11, 2026 Riyadh Airport attack: 12 dead, 309 injured, flights halted as Houthis issue new warningAviationOct 11, 2026 Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan wins gold at South Asian Travel AwardsAwardsOct 11, 2026 Riyadh Airport attack kills 12, including two Bangladeshis; 309 injuredAviationOct 11, 2026 Riyadh Airport closure disrupts Bangladesh-Saudi flights, five services canceledAirlines and RoutesOct 11, 2026 Biman suspends Riyadh flights indefinitely amid escalating crisis in Saudi ArabiaAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 Biman flight makes emergency landing in Dhaka over hydraulic malfunctionAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 Etihad commercial chief Arik De exits with immediate effectAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 PIA wet-leases two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for UK-Pakistan flightsFleet and AircraftOct 10, 2026 Turkish Airlines posts strong traffic results in SeptemberAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 WTTC aims to support 1m tourism SMEs through global initiativeTourismOct 10, 2026 Italy approves EUR 120m tourism housing plan to create 63,000 bedsTourismOct 10, 2026 JS body calls for urgent recruitment to fill vacancies in aviation, tourism sectorAviationOct 10, 2026 Cox's Bazar beach draws large crowds during weekend holidayTourismOct 10, 2026 Guangzhou High-Speed Rail Station handles record 1m passengers in a dayCruise and RailOct 10, 2026 ACI Beverages brings MacCoffee to BangladeshLife & StyleOct 10, 2026 Chattogram launches Bangladesh's first dedicated cycle trackLife & StyleOct 10, 2026 UAE says Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Israeli AirportAviationOct 10, 2026 Ethiopian Airlines spent USD 6m on carbon credits over aviation complianceAviation Business Oct 10, 2026 Four global ground handlers shortlisted for Dhaka airport's Third TerminalAirports and InfrastructureOct 9, 2026 Most PopularSee All Bangladesh, Indonesia discuss visa-on-arrival facilities, direct flightsTourismOct 6, 2026 Saudia pilot killed, aircraft damaged in missile attack on Riyadh airportAirports and InfrastructureOct 9, 2026 Four global ground handlers shortlisted for Dhaka airport's Third TerminalAirports and InfrastructureOct 9, 2026 Bangladesh seeks Lufthansa Cooperation on aviation hub, MRO investmentAviation Business Oct 6, 2026 Biman signs Airbus deal for 10 aircraft in major fleet expansionFleet and AircraftOct 7, 2026 Etihad commercial chief Arik De exits with immediate effectAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 Malaysia Airlines reaches new milestone in Australian marketAirlines and RoutesOct 7, 2026 Former EBL chairman M. Ghaziul Haque passes awayBanking and FinanceOct 5, 2026 British Airways to fly A380 on just four routes this winterFleet and AircraftOct 5, 2026 US-Bangla opens two engineering positions in GSE divisionAviationOct 5, 2026 Swissport enters Indonesia with UNEX Aviation Services joint ventureAirports and InfrastructureOct 6, 2026 7-Eleven exits India after closing all 31 storesRetail and CommerceOct 7, 2026 US-Bangla Airlines recruiting ATR 72 first officersAirlines and RoutesOct 8, 2026 Mymensingh International Airport planned near Dhaka, feasibility study to begin soon: MillatAirports and InfrastructureOct 11, 2026 DP World to operate Chittagong port's NCT under 15-year concessionCargo and LogisticsOct 9, 2026 National Civil Aviation Security meeting reviews aviation security ahead of ICAO auditAviationOct 8, 2026 Prime Bank, CRP join hands for prosthetic services for people with disabilitiesBanking and FinanceOct 7, 2026 Bangladesh Monitor invites entries for Bangladesh Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2026AwardsOct 5, 2026 PIA wet-leases two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for UK-Pakistan flightsFleet and AircraftOct 10, 2026 China Eastern reports passenger to police over flight attendant kneelingAirlines and RoutesOct 6, 2026 Mayor will inaugurate international tourism fair in Chattogram on ThursdayEvents & ForumsOct 6, 2026 Biman flight makes emergency landing in Dhaka over hydraulic malfunctionAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 Visiting Thailand could get costlier for Bangladeshi travelers as new fees coming upVisa and Travel UpdatesOct 11, 2026 Etihad launches flights to emerging Saudi Arabian tourism hotspotAirlines and RoutesOct 7, 2026 Emirates to deploy A350 on Orlando route from November 1Fleet and AircraftOct 5, 2026 Biman suspends Riyadh flights indefinitely amid escalating crisis in Saudi ArabiaAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 Dhaka Airport conducts full-scale emergency drill to test fire responseAirports and InfrastructureOct 5, 2026 Bangladesh, Montenegro eye tourism cooperation, recruitment of skilled workersNRB ConnectOct 5, 2026 Turkish Airlines posts strong traffic results in SeptemberAirlines and RoutesOct 10, 2026 Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport unveils 10-day-long Awadhi food festivalHotelsOct 9, 2026 Lufthansa Group to resume Dubai flights from October 25Airlines and RoutesOct 7, 2026 German envoy stresses stronger aviation, trade cooperation with BangladeshAviationOct 7, 2026 Middle Eastern airlines to fight back for traffic lost to Asian rivalsAviation Business Oct 6, 2026 Bangladesh, UK discuss migration, skill mobilizationNRB ConnectOct 6, 2026 Masud Hossain wins award as Best Inbound Tour OperatorAwardsOct 5, 2026 BERC hikes jet fuel prices for third consecutive monthAviationOct 7, 2026 British Airways 777 returns to Heathrow after cabin pressure lossAirlines and RoutesOct 6, 2026 Lightning hits Lucknow-bound IndiGo flight at FL170Airlines and RoutesOct 8, 2026 Challenge Group suspends freighter flights to Navi Mumbai AirportCargo and LogisticsOct 6, 2026 Riyadh Airport closure disrupts Bangladesh-Saudi flights, five services canceledAirlines and RoutesOct 11, 2026 Bangladesh, US discuss expanding Fulbright scholarshipsNRB ConnectOct 5, 2026 Ocean congestion, tariff clarity could lift Q4 air cargo demandCargo and LogisticsOct 6, 2026 Malaysia logs 28.8 million international arrivals in January–AugustTourismOct 5, 2026 Air India, SIA scrap long-standing booking hurdle for passengersAirlines and RoutesOct 7, 2026 Bangladesh hosts OIC workshop to promote heritage preservation, sustainable tourismTourismOct 8, 2026 City Mayor inaugurates 3-day Chittagong Travel Mart in ChattogramTourismOct 8, 2026 Pilot production begins at Rosatom's new radiopharmaceutical plantOthersOct 6, 2026 Airfares expected to stay high through fallAviation Business Oct 5, 2026 Sajek tourist spot closed until further notice, visitors asked to leave by October 13Visa and Travel Updatesabout 23 hours ago Saudia Group nears "substantial" aircraft orderFleet and AircraftOct 8, 2026

MENAFN12102026000163011034ID1111795641