Boeing projects global commercial fleet to exceed 50,000 jets by 2045

Ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing released its 2026 Commercial Market Outlook, forecasting demand for about 43,625 new commercial aircraft between 2026 and 2045. The outlook projects the worldwide commercial fleet will grow roughly 80%, surpassing 50,000 aircraft by 2045. Annual passenger traffic is expected to rise about 4%, doubling global air travel over the period. Roughly half of the new deliveries will replace older, less efficient jets, while the rest will support fleet expansion. The forecast breaks down deliveries into 33,545 single‑aisle, 7,715 wide‑body, 1,435 regional jets and 930 freighters. Boeing notes an undersupply of close to 2,000 aircraft at the start of 2026, with single‑aisle shortages persisting to the end of the decade and wide‑body gaps into the early 2030s. Regional demand will be led by China (about 21% of deliveries) and Eurasia (20%). Airbus trimmed its own 20‑year outlook to 42,060 aircraft, citing the Iran war and trade tensions, but Boeing expects short‑term geopolitical or supply‑chain disruptions will not alter the long‑term growth trajectory.