The worldwide air cargo fleet will grow to roughly 3,900 freighter aircraft by 2043, an increase of about two thirds from the 2,340 freighters flying in 2023, according to Boeing's World Air Cargo Forecast. The company projects global air cargo traffic will climb by an average of 4 percent a year over the 20 year period, effectively doubling total volume by 2043.

Boeing expects the industry to take delivery of 2,845 freighter aircraft over that span, made up of 1,005 newly built freighters and 1,840 aircraft converted from passenger to cargo configuration. Among the converted aircraft, the forecast breaks out 1,250 standard body jets, 785 medium widebody jets and 810 large widebody jets.

Regional demand concentrates heavily in two markets. Asia Pacific carriers are projected to need 980 new freighters, the largest regional total, while North American operators are expected to add 955. Combined, those two regions account for more than two thirds of all freighter deliveries forecast through 2043.

The large widebody freighter segment stands out for its growth rate, with Boeing projecting the fleet will nearly double in size over the forecast period as high volume trade lanes in Asia expand. Express delivery carriers are also expected to grow their share of the market, handling about one quarter of global air cargo by 2043, up from 18 percent today.

Source: Boeing - https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/cargo-forecast