Boeing Forecasts Over 900 New Freighters in the Next 20 Years

Boeing has predicted there will be demand for 2,825 dedicated freighters over the next 20 years.

In its 2023 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the airframer said this included 925 new freighters, in addition to converted aircraft.

Out of the 2,825 aircraft, there will be 650 large widebodies, 885 medium widebodies and 1,290 standard body aircraft.

The world’s freighter fleet stood at 2,270 in 2022, and by 2042 the freighter fleet will total 3,745, said Boeing.

E-commerce is boosting express freighter fleets, with 20% growth between 2020-2022, noted the airframer.

Air cargo is predicted to continue to outpace global trade growth.

The total global fleet of passenger and freighter aircraft combined will nearly double to 48,600 aircraft from 2023-2042, expanding 3.5% per year.

The CMO forecasts demand for more than 42,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years.

“The aviation industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability after unprecedented disruption, with airlines responding to challenges, simplifying their fleets, improving efficiency and capitalizing on resurgent demand,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing.

“Looking to the future of air travel, our 2023 CMO reflects further evolution of passenger traffic tied to global growth of the middle class, investments in sustainability, continued growth for low-cost carriers, and air cargo demand to serve evolving supply chains and express cargo delivery.”

Airbus’ recently published 20-year forecast said there will be global demand for 2,510 freighter aircraft.