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Boeing 20-Year Forecast Shows Steady Demand for Nearly 44,000 New Airplanes
- Emerging markets driving air travel growth, fueled by consumers, competition and investment
- Global fleet to reach approximately 50,000 commercial airplanes by 2044
- Nearly half of deliveries will replace older airplanes, boosting efficiency of the global fleet

LE BOURGET, PARIS, June 15, 2025 – Emerging markets, with expanding middle classes, dynamic and competitive airline networks and sustained aviation investment, will play an outsized role in global air traffic growth, helping drive a need for 43,600 commercial airplanes over the next 20 years, Boeing [NYSE: BA] projected today.

These markets will represent over 50% of the global commercial fleet in 2044, up from nearly 40% in 2024. Ahead of the Paris Air Show, Boeing released its 2025 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), which also predicts airplane supply will catch up with market demand around the end of the decade, enabling carriers to increasingly renew and grow their fleets.

“Throughout the first quarter of this century, passenger air traffic tripled and the global airplane fleet more than doubled as the commercial aviation industry navigated significant challenges,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “Resilience will remain a hallmark of this growing industry as we continue to see strong demand for new airplanes with commercial aviation returning to its pre-pandemic growth trajectory.”

CMO forecast highlights through 2044:

  • Passenger traffic is forecast to grow 4.2% annually ─ more than doubling in size as it continues to outpace global economic growth.
  • The global fleet will nearly double to more than 49,600 commercial airplanes as airlines add capacity to meet travel demand.
  • About 80% of in-service airplanes will be replaced with more than 21,000 deliveries, improving fleet efficiency and capability.
  • Single-aisle airplanes will make up 72% of the global fleet, up from 66% in 2024, driven largely by short-haul travel and low-cost carriers in emerging markets.
  • The global passenger widebody fleet will increase to approximately 8,320 airplanes, up from roughly 4,400 in 2024 ─ growth increasingly driven by carriers in emerging markets expanding their long-haul fleets.
  • Supply chain diversification and expanding express cargo networks will drive a nearly two-thirds expansion of the global freighter fleet and the need for 2,900 production and converted freighters.

Air travel trends:

  • Airline networks serve about 30% more airport pairs than a decade ago, providing more convenient non-stop flight options.
  • As a share of discretionary expenses, travel spending has returned to pre-pandemic levels as consumers prioritize air travel.

New deliveries (2025-2044)

Regional Jet

1,545

Single Aisle

33,285

Widebody

7,815

Freighter

955

Total

43,600

Boeing has published the CMO annually since 1961. As the longest-running forecast of its kind, the CMO is regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry. The complete outlook is available at: boeing.com/cmo.

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A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.  

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates,” and other similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof, generally can be used to help identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to future demand for commercial airplanes and aviation personnel, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact.  Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable when made, but that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors, including economic conditions in the United States and globally, general industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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