There will be demand for 2,825 dedicated freighters over the next 20 years and this includes 925 new freighters, in addition to converted aircraft, said Boeing in its 2023 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). Of the 2,825 aircraft, there will be 650 large widebodies, 885 medium widebodies and 1,290 standard-body aircraft. The world’s freighter fleet stood at 2,270 in 2022, and by 2042 the freighter fleet will total 3,745, said Boeing.
E-commerce is boosting express freighter fleets, with 20% growth between 2020-2022, it noted. Air cargo is predicted to continue to outpace global trade growth. The total global fleet of passenger and freighter aircraft combined will nearly double to 48,600 aircraft during 2023-2042, expanding by 3.5% per year, said a report.