Boeing predicts necessity of 2,845 new cargo aircraft by 2043

New York : In Boeing's latest commercial market outlook report, the American planemaker has predicted 2,845 new cargo aircraft will be needed by 2043, compared to 2023's forecast of 2,825.

Retirements are also expected at a slower rate than in the previous forecast; 1,055 of today's current freighter fleet will still be in operation in 2043, according to Boeing's latest forecast compared to 920 last year.

As a result, the worldwide freighter fleet will reach 3,900 aircraft in 2043, compared to 2,340 today. In 2023, the company predicted the global freighter fleet would stand at 3,745 by 2043.

This means the fleet will increase by 77 per cent over the 20-years period, which is a 2.6 per cent increase year on year.

Boeing said the increase will be driven by global trade growth and increases in e-commerce. Cargo tonne kms are expected to more than double compared with today's levels.

Demand for large widebody freighters will be the result of "strong" international e-commerce demand and supply chain restructuring.

Drilling down into the figures, Boeing expects new deliveries to make up 35 per cent of the additional freighters with the remaining 65 per cent to be converted aircraft.

Of the newbuilds, 660 (23pc) will be large widebody and 345 (12pc) medium widebody.

For conversions, 150 (5pc) will be large widebody, 440 (15pc) medium widebody and 1,250 (44pc) standardbody.

Regionally, carriers in the Americas will lead the growth with the requirement for 1,115 freighters over the                20-years period, closely followed by Asia and then Eurasia, Middle East and Africa.