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Global aviation forecast dips slightly: Boeing sees fleet nearing 50,000 by 2044; cites post-pandemic supply chain woes
sanjeev | June 16, 2025 1:21 AM CST

The Boeing worldwide commercial aircraft fleet is projected to reach nearly 50,000 aircraft by 2044, with the majority manufactured during the upcoming two decades, as indicated in Boeing's latest forecast published on Saturday.

The total fleet will increase to 49,600 aircraft, slightly lower than Boeing's previous yearly prediction, the company announced before the commencement of the Paris Air Show on Monday.

Developing markets "with expanding middle classes, dynamic and competitive airline networks and sustained aviation investment" will constitute over half of the commercial fleet by 2044, increasing from about 40 percent in 2024, according to Boeing.

The report highlights the impact of post-pandemic supply chain challenges. "The supply chain has probably had a small role in our slight reduction in deliveries over the next 20 years," said Boeing vice president of Commercial Marketing Darren Hulst during a briefing last week, as quoted by Associated Press.

This announcement preceded the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. In response to the incident, which claimed 279 lives, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and commercial aircraft division head Stephanie Pope withdrew from the event.

Boeing anticipates yearly passenger growth of 4.2 percent, surpassing the 2.3 percent annual GDP growth. "New aircraft deliveries haven't been able to keep up with the demand," Hulst said, estimating a "cumulative shortage" of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 aircraft. However, Hulst believes delivery rates to improve through the remainder of this decade.


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