Commercial Market Outlook

• Boeing projects near-term disruptions will not meaningfully affect long-term aviation industry growth with demand for air travel set to double over the next 20 years.
• The global commercial airplanes fleet is expected to grow nearly 80% to more than 50,000 airplanes by 2045 as airlines and cargo operators add capacity. 
• Globally, operators are forecasted to need nearly 44,000 new airplanes to support sustained air travel demand and air cargo expansion over the next 20 years.
• Half of these deliveries are projected to replace previous-generation airplanes with more fuel-efficient models and support sustainability goals.  

• The global single-aisle fleet will nearly double to more than 36,000 jets, serving core short-haul networks and operating more than half of all global capacity.
• More than 8,000 widebody airplanes will be in service in 2045, enabling long-haul passenger routes, enhanced passenger experience and critical air cargo capacity.
• Air cargo traffic growth and the need for new-technology freighters to renew the fleet will drive demand for more than 2,900 production and converted freighters.

• Passengers are adjusting destinations and routings rather than forgoing travel in the near term.  
• Point-to-point and short-haul leisure segments are leading growth, while long-haul and premium travel in some regions, including the Middle East, has seen the most short-term impact.  
• Long term, air travel continues to connect the world through enduring demand drivers, including extended and dispersed families and friend networks, growing tourism and diversifying destinations, trade and commerce. 
• Passenger traffic is expected to grow 4% annually, resulting in a doubling of global air traffic between 2026 and 2045. 

Airlines have added nearly 5,500 new airport pairs since 2015, driving nearly 30% network connectivity growth and giving passengers more choices and more direct itineraries. Carriers are broadening service levels, from ultra low-cost to premium, depending on trip need, passenger value and market conditions:

• Premium offerings are growing, especially in North America and Northeast Asia, supported by higher incomes and wealth effects.
• Low‑cost options are expanding in emerging markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, improving affordability.

Without the efficiency and productivity gains of new, efficient jets, airlines would need 9,000 additional airplanes to serve the same number of passengers.

The global commercial fleet is expected to grow to more than 50,000 airplanes by 2045, requiring about 44,000 new passenger jet and freighter deliveries over the next two decades. Demand remains balanced across these forecasted deliveries: 

• Mature regions, including North America, Eurasia, Oceania and Northeast Asia, will account for about 45% of new deliveries. 
• Transitioning and emerging markets, like China, the Middle East, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa, will make up about 55% of new deliveries. 

Low-cost carrier fleets are expected to grow nearly 4% annually, versus 2.6% growth for network carriers. Globally, replacement demand is rising as mature and transitioning markets renew fleets. By 2045, less than 10% of previous generation airplanes are expected to remain in the global fleet. 

• Air cargo demand remains resilient as operators adapt routes and flows in response to geopolitics.
• International freighter capacity increased 5% year to date in 2026, despite market disruptions, underscoring the flexibility and agility of air cargo networks to meet demand.
• Through 2045, air cargo traffic is forecast to grow about 3.7% annually, outpacing trade and economic growth.
• Demand is supported by the need to move high-value, perishable and sensitive goods, as well as supply chain reliability and cross-border e-commerce.