India and South Asia Airline Fleet to Quadruple by 2043

Feb 122 min read

Boeing predicts that the commercial airline fleet in India and South Asia will expand almost four times over the next 20 years, following a decade of steady fleet growth. This expansion will be driven by increased demand and a rise in air traffic in the region, which is expected to grow by more than 7% annually until 2043. This growth is supported by ongoing economic development, enhanced connectivity, and policies that encourage the liberalization of air travel, as stated in Boeing’s latest Commercial Market Outlook (CMO).

According to the CMO, domestic air travel is anticipated to continue as the largest and quickest-expanding segment in India's travel industry. This expected growth in traffic will be facilitated by the ongoing expansion of low-cost carriers and the diversification of networks, as airlines introduce more routes and destinations across the region.

Nearly 90% of commercial jet deliveries during the forecast period will be fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft like the 737 MAX, offering airlines increased network flexibility and improved economics on rapidly expanding short- and medium-haul routes. Meanwhile, the region's widebody fleet is set to grow fourfold as carriers utilize aircraft such as the 787 Dreamliner and 777X to expand long-haul networks, especially from India to North America, where capacity has doubled over the last ten years.

"The India and South Asia region continues to be the world’s fastest-growing commercial aviation market due to strong economic and trade growth, rising household incomes and investments in infrastructure and development," said Ashwin Naidu, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for India and South Asia. "As our CMO shows, people will have greater access to air travel, and the region’s airlines will require a modern fuel-efficient fleet to meet increased demand over the next two decades.”

The CMO also predicts that the cargo freighter fleet in India and South Asia, encompassing both new and converted models, will increase five times as the region enhances its participation in global supply chains, advanced manufacturing, and e-commerce.

The need for pilots, cabin crew, and technicians will increase fourfold to 129,000 as the commercial aircraft fleet expands, marking the quickest growth rate of any region worldwide.