Airbus projects demand for 2,700 new aircraft in Latin America

Airbus projects that Latin American airlines will require more than 2,700 new passenger aircraft over the next 20 years. This updated forecast, presented at the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in Mexico City, increases the previous estimate of 2,440 aircraft.

The demand is expected to be driven by a combination of fleet expansion and the replacement of older generations of aircraft. Specifically, the region is projected to need approximately 2,520 narrow-body aircraft and 200 wide-body aircraft. This influx is expected to grow the region's operational commercial fleet from 1,550 current aircraft to 2,770 by 2045.

Key macroeconomic drivers for this growth include economic development, high urbanization rates, and an expanding middle class, which could exceed 500 million people. Passenger traffic in the region is forecasted to grow at an annual compound rate of between 3.4% and 3.7%, potentially doubling the volume recorded in 2025. Markets such as Chile, Mexico, and Brazil are expected to see per capita travel rates double or more, followed by Colombia and Argentina.