Hyderabad

Airlines in India and South Asia will require nearly 3,300 new aircraft by 2044, driven by rising air traffic, US aircraft maker Boeing said on Wednesday.

Single-aisle jets will dominate demand, accounting for about 2,875 of the projected deliveries, while 395 will be wide-body aircraft. Airlines will also need roughly 45,000 pilots, 45,000 technicians, and 51,000 cabin crew over the next two decades.

“India is the fastest-growing aviation market, with the fleet expected to quadruple in the next 20 years,” said Ashwin Naidu, Boeing’s Managing Director for Commercial Marketing, Eurasia and the Indian Subcontinent, while presenting the Commercial Market Outlook at the Wings India 2026 summit.

Boeing said South Asia’s passenger traffic is projected to grow 7% annually, with the region’s fleet expanding from 795 to 2,925 planes. Wide-body fleets will more than triple, supporting international travel to the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

ALSO READ: India’s-EU landmark FTA to spur growth, jobs, increase New Delhi's relevance

The report also highlighted the need for USD 195 billion in aviation services, including maintenance, repair, digital services, and training. Growth in high-tech manufacturing and e-commerce is expected to drive a fivefold increase in freighter aircraft over the next 20 years.