Airbus expects the world’s fleet of dedicated freighter aircraft to grow 46 percent over the next two decades, from 2,360 aircraft in 2025 to 3,460 by 2045, according to its 2026 Cargo Global Market Forecast.

The company announced the forecast at the Cargo Facts Symposium, according to a press release on Oct 21. It projects a need for 2,670 new freighters, mainly to replace older aircraft (1,580) and to support growth (1,090).

By size, Airbus expects demand for 1,140 single-aisle freighters, 860 mid-size widebodies, and 670 large widebodies. About 970 of the aircraft would be new-build, while 1,700 would be converted from passenger aircraft, it said.

Airbus projects global air cargo traffic to grow 3.2 per cent a year over the next two decades, against a forecast of 2.9 per cent annual growth in long-term trade. The release said air freight has shown resilience despite high fuel prices, geopolitical disruption, and supply chain constraints.

Air cargo accounts for less than 1 per cent of global trade by weight but carries more than 30 per cent by value, the release said. In the past three years, the value of computers and high-technology goods carried by air has doubled, reaching 15 percent in 2026, it said. E-commerce, and air cargo’s use as an alternative to shipping for some goods, are also driving demand.

Asia-Pacific will remain the leading region for international air cargo traffic, Airbus said, with routes to North America the largest, growing 3.8 percent a year, followed by Europe. The release said the A350F, the newest freighter in its range, can operate these routes efficiently.

By region, North America is expected to need 925 freighters and Asia-Pacific 850, together two-thirds of global demand. Europe and the CIS would need 515, Latin America 165, the Middle East 125, and Africa 90, according to the forecast.

Older freighters will increasingly be retired in favour of next-generation aircraft, Airbus said. These include new-build models such as the A350F and passenger-to-freighter conversions of A320, A321, and A330 family aircraft, which it said help operators reduce fuel use and emissions.

Source: PR