Boeing Forecasts Demand for 42,600 Jets Over Next 20 Years

With a resurgence in international traffic and domestic air travel back to pre-pandemic levels, Boeing has projected global demand for 42,595 new commercial jets by 2042, valued at $8 trillion.

Boeing released its 2023 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the company's forecast of 20-year demand for commercial airplanes and services, in advance of the Paris Air Show.

The new CMO comes three years after the pandemic grounded most of the global fleet. Key findings include:

• Passenger traffic continuing to outpace global economic growth of 2.6%.

• The global fleet nearly doubling to 48,600 jets, expanding 3.5% per year.

• Airlines replacing about half of the global fleet with new, more fuel-efficient models.

Boeing's projections for regional demand and key trends through 2042 include:

• Asia-Pacific markets to represent more than 40% of global demand with half of that total in China.

• South Asia's fleet will expand more than 7% annually, the world's fastest rate, with India accounting for more than 90% of the region's passenger traffic.

• North America and Europe each will account for about 20% of global demand.

• Low-cost carriers will operate more than 40% of the single-aisle fleet in 2042, up from 10% 20 years ago.

• After omitting demand for Russia and Central Asia in last year's CMO due to uncertainty in the region, this year's forecast covers Russia and Central Asia in the Eurasia region, which comprises about 3% of the global fleet by 2042.

• Commercial Services forecasts a total served market worth $3.8 trillion, including digital solutions that increase efficiency and reduce cost; robust demand for parts and supply chain solutions; growing maintenance and modification options; and effective training to enhance safety and support the pilot and technician pipeline.

Also in the 20-year forecast period, Boeing anticipates demand for these models:

• New single-aisle airplanes will account for more than 75% of all new deliveries, up slightly from the 2022 outlook, and totaling 32,420 airplanes. Regional jet will see 1,810 new aircraft delivered over the same period.

• New widebody jets will be nearly 20% of deliveries, with 7,440 airplanes enabling airlines to open new markets and serve existing routes more efficiently.

• Air cargo will continue to outpace global trade growth, with carriers requiring 2,800 dedicated freighters. This includes 925 new widebodies as well as converted narrow-body and widebody models.

Boeing has published the CMO annually since 1961. As the longest-running jet forecast, the CMO is regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry. Boeing will release its complete Pilot and Technician Outlook the week of July 24.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Learn more at www.boeing.com.