Airbus predicts that the global number of aircraft will double in the next 20 years, with India serving as a growth engine.

Airbus predicts that, driven by rapid growth in markets such as India, the global commercial aircraft fleet will double in size in the next 20 years, reaching nearly 50,000 aircraft. In India, the expanding middle class is increasingly choosing air travel. According to Airbus' latest global market forecast, by 2044, the global in-service fleet will increase by 24,480 aircraft, reaching 49,210 aircraft, including both Airbus' own planes and those of competitors like Boeing Company. Airbus states that most of the growth will come from single-aisle aircraft like the Airbus A320 series or the Boeing Company 737, which are the mainstay of many airlines' fleets. The aircraft manufacturer predicts that in the next 20 years, India's domestic aviation network will be the fastest-growing aviation market, while China will become the largest market in terms of capacity. Globally, Airbus expects long-haul passenger traffic to grow at a rate of 3.6% per year, with passenger traffic to the Middle East becoming another major growth driver. Commercial aircraft are one of the longest cycle industrial products, allowing Airbus and Boeing to anticipate travel trends for the next several decades. However, amid tense global trade negotiations, aircraft and their components may face more complex transport arrangements, potentially affecting aircraft production and delivery. Despite this, Airbus states that despite the uncertainty caused by global tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump, which has prompted consumers to control spending and some airlines to adopt a pessimistic outlook for the remainder of the year, airlines have not stopped buying new aircraft models. Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus' commercial aircraft division, said, "Apart from the domestic U.S. market, we have not seen a fundamental shift in customer demand. We see continued interest and demand in our products from the market." While supply chain disruptions that arose during the pandemic are gradually easing, Airbus indicates that there are still shortages of some components. Scherer mentioned that the A320neo, their main model, is facing engine shortages from CFM International, while the flagship A350 long-haul aircraft is lacking bathrooms, both factors hindering aircraft deliveries. India is already the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, and the growth of the affluent population in this country with over 1.4 billion people is a key driving force for future aircraft demand. At the International Air Transport Association's annual meeting held in New Delhi this month, airlines from around the world announced a series of initiatives aimed at launching or increasing flights to and from this South Asian country. India has become a major buyer of aircraft. Since 2023, Indian airlines have ordered 570 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Low-cost carrier IndiGo has ordered over 900 Airbus aircraft, including a recent expansion of their order for 60 A350 wide-body aircraft.