Airbus forecasts 46% growth in freighter fleet

Airbus’ 2026 Cargo Global Market Forecast anticipates a significant expansion of the dedicated freighter aircraft fleet, projecting a remarkable 46% increase between 2026 and 2045. This forecast estimates the worldwide fleet will rise from 2,360 to an impressive 3,460 aircraft by that year. The projection indicates a total requirement of 2,670 freighters over the period, driven largely by replacement needs. Specifically, Airbus predicts 1,580 older freighter aircraft will need replacing during this timeframe. These figures were unveiled at the Cargo Facts Symposium, highlighting the growing demand for air cargo capacity globally.