Deeptesh Ghosh
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Boeing has projected a 3% increase in airplane deliveries over the next two decades, with air travel not only fully recovered but also exceeding pre-pandemic levels. The company anticipates the need for nearly 44,000 new commercial airplanes by 2043.
This forecast was revealed ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, as Boeing released its 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). The report underscores the significant role of emerging markets and the global single-aisle market as the primary drivers of growth for the aviation industry.
In a world that’s increasingly connected, air travel demand is outpacing economic growth. Four years after the pandemic grounded much of the global fleet, air traffic growth has returned to the long-term trend Boeing forecasted two decades ago. According to the CMO, passenger air traffic is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.7% over the next 20 years compared to 2023.
“This is a challenging and inspiring era for aviation. The return to more typical traffic growth shows how resilient our industry is, even as we all work through ongoing supply chain and production constraints amid other global challenges,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
Fleet Growth Projections:
- Commercial Fleet Expansion: The global commercial fleet is expected to grow by 3.2% annually, slower than air traffic growth, as airlines boost productivity by increasing load factors and utilizing airplanes for more hours per day.
- Air Cargo Fleet Growth: The air cargo fleet, known for its speed and reliability, is projected to grow by two-thirds by 2043, supporting an annual air cargo traffic growth of 4.1%.
Air Travel Trends:
- Stable Airfares: Despite overall consumer prices doubling over the past 20 years, the average global airline fare remains about the same.
- Route Adaptability: The number of global routes served by commercial airlines has returned to 2019 levels, with nearly 20% of these routes being new, demonstrating the aviation industry’s adaptability in a dynamic market.
Key Growth Drivers:
- Emerging Market Growth: Passenger traffic in South Asia is expected to increase by 7.4%, followed by Southeast Asia (7.2%) and Africa (6.4%), as these regions return to historical growth trends throughout the forecast period.
- Regional Delivery Leaders: Eurasia is projected to lead all markets in airplane deliveries, accounting for 22% of the total, with North America and China each following closely at 20%.
- Single-Aisle Dominance: Single-aisle airplanes are anticipated to comprise 71% of the fleet by 2043, with 33,380 new deliveries serving short- to medium-haul routes.
- Widebody Fleet Growth: The global widebody fleet will more than double, with twin-aisle aircraft making up 44% of the Middle East fleet.
Rising Demand for Services:
- Commercial Services Demand: Boeing expects a demand for commercial services valued at $4.4 trillion, driven by maintenance, modification options, and digital solutions that enhance efficiency.
- Workforce Needs: The expansion of air travel, especially in emerging markets, will require nearly 2.4 million new personnel, including pilots, maintenance technicians, and cabin crew, necessitating comprehensive training programs to support this growth.
“As airlines respond to robust passenger demand, the services market continues to expand, not only as a result of fleet growth, but also with an increased focus on reducing operating costs and deploying efficient and sustainable solutions,” said Dan Abraham, senior vice president of Boeing Global Services Commercial Sales and Marketing.
Here’s the table for new deliveries from 2024 to 2043:
Aircraft Type | Number of Deliveries |
---|---|
Regional Jet | 1,525 |
Single Aisle | 33,380 |
Widebody | 8,065 |
Freighter | 1,005 |
Total | 43,975 |
Boeing has been publishing the Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) annually since 1961. Renowned as the longest-running forecast in the industry, the CMO is widely considered the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation sector.