Airbus Forecasts Conversions to Drive New Freighter Growth Over the Next 20 Years

Conversions will account for over 60% of new freighters over the next 20 years, according to the latest data from Airbus.

In its latest Global Market Forecast (GMF), the airframer predicted there will be global demand for 2,510 freighter aircraft during the period 2023-2042.

920 of these will be newbuild and 1,590 will be conversions.

600 of the total freighter aircraft will be large widebody (> 80 t) aircraft, 890 will be mid-size widebody (40 t – 80 t) aircraft, and 1,020 will be single aisle (10 t-40 t) aircraft.

This will see the world freighter fleet in service reach 3,230 aircraft by 2042.

In its GMF, Airbus predicted demand for 40,850 new passenger & freighter aircraft during the period 2023-2042.

This is 1,360 more than in the 2022 GMF.

The Middle East is due to receive the most passenger and freighter aircraft, followed by Africa, and Europe & CIS.

Growth of express air cargo will exceed general air cargo, said Airbus. In 2019, the express sector comprised 17% of the total air cargo market, while in 2042 it will comprise 25% of the market.