Boeing's 2026 Commercial Market Outlook projects that airlines and cargo operators will need nearly 44,000 new airplanes over the next 20 years to meet demand, as the global commercial fleet grows almost 80% to more than 50,000 airplanes by 2045.

Of the projected deliveries, single-aisle aircraft account for the largest share at 33,545 units, followed by 7,715 widebody airplanes, 1,435 regional jets and 930 freighters. Roughly half of all new deliveries are expected to replace older-generation airplanes with more fuel-efficient models, and by 2045 fewer than 10% of previous-generation aircraft are expected to remain in service worldwide.

Boeing forecasts global passenger traffic will grow about 4% annually, doubling between 2026 and 2045, while air cargo traffic is projected to grow roughly 3.7% annually, supporting demand for more than 2,900 new and converted freighters. Mature markets including North America, Eurasia, Oceania and Northeast Asia are expected to account for about 45% of new deliveries, with transitioning and emerging markets making up the remaining 55%.

The company said low-cost carrier fleets are projected to grow nearly 4% annually, outpacing roughly 3% annual growth for network carriers, and that airlines have added nearly 5,500 new city-pair routes to the global network over the past decade.

Source: Boeing -- https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2026-07-17-Boeing-Global-Commercial-Fleet-Will-Top-50,000-Airplanes-in-20-Years-as-Passenger-Traffic-Doubles