Finance
Airbus Sees World Freighter Fleet Growing 45% by 2044
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on October 22, 2025
1 min readLast updated: March 1, 2026
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Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on October 22, 2025
1 min readLast updated: March 1, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleAirbus forecasts a 45% increase in the global freighter fleet to 3,420 by 2044, driven by trade growth, with significant demand in North America and Asia-Pacific.
PARIS (Reuters) -Airbus said on Wednesday the worldwide fleet of dedicated freighter aircraft by all makers should rise to 3,420 in the next 20 years, or a 45% increase, helped by long-term trade growth.
"This will be made up of 815 existing freighters and 2,605 additional ones. Of these additional 2,605 freighters, 1,530 will be replacements and 1,075 will be for growth," the European plane maker said in a statement.
North America and Asia-Pacific would account for almost two-thirds of those 2,605 freighter deliveries needed over the next 20 years, it added.
"Airbus forecasts significant air cargo growth as it has proved essential - not just to support economies, but also to connect remote communities, transport essential and health-critical goods, and enable local business development in emerging countries."
(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Richard Chang)
A freighter aircraft is a type of airplane specifically designed or converted to transport cargo rather than passengers. These aircraft are essential for global trade and logistics, enabling the movement of goods across long distances.
Air cargo growth refers to the increase in the volume of goods transported by air. This growth is driven by rising global trade, demand for quick delivery, and the need for transporting essential goods, especially in emerging markets.
Dedicated freighter aircraft play a crucial role in the logistics industry by providing efficient and reliable transportation for goods. They are designed to maximize cargo capacity and are essential for meeting the demands of global supply chains.
Emerging markets are economies that are in the process of rapid growth and industrialization. These markets often present new investment opportunities due to their increasing consumer bases and expanding infrastructure.
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