Airbus forecasts demand for over 19,000 new aircraft in Asia Pacific by 2045

Asia Pacific is set to require 19,120 new passenger aircraft by 2045, accounting for 45% of global demand, according to Airbus' latest Global Market Forecast (GMF) for 2026-2045. Of these, around 6,373 will replace existing fleets, while 12,747 will support airline growth. The region's need for new aircraft is driven by strong economic fundamentals, with Asia Pacific's middle-income population projected to reach three billion by 2045.

This growth is further fueled by rapid urbanisation, making air travel an essential component of social and economic prosperity. Airbus is well-positioned to meet the region's demand for widebody jets, as its A330neo and A350 families account for almost half of all new widebody aircraft deliveries. The company has increased its share of the widebody backlog in the region to 50% over the past three years, with the A350 becoming a preferred choice for long-range intercontinental flights.

In the narrowbody category, Airbus forecasts that the Asia Pacific region will require 15,700 aircraft by 2045, reflecting ongoing domestic and intra-regional network expansion. The manufacturer cites new airport infrastructure and longer-range single-aisle aircraft like the A321XLR and A220 as enabling these expansions. Airbus Asia Pacific president Anand Stanley emphasized that airlines are moving away from traditional hub-and-spoke models to directly connect secondary cities, expanding their long-haul networks.

Passenger traffic in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.1%, nearly double the global average of 3.9%, with traffic volumes projected to more than double by 2045. As of August 2026, 119 airlines in the region operated 5,000 Airbus commercial aircraft, giving the manufacturer a 58% market share, with nearly 3,500 aircraft on order for future delivery, representing 61% of the backlog among all aircraft manufacturers in the above-100-seat jet market.