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Airbus predicts Asia-Pacific will need 850 freighters in coming 20 years
October 24th 2025
Airbus’ 2025 Cargo Global Market Forecast (GMF) shows the worldwide fleet of dedicated freighter aircraft rising to 3,420 in the next 20 years, equivalent to a 45% increase. Read More » This will be made up of 815 existing freighters and 2,605 additional ones. Of these additional 2,605 freighters, 1,530 will be replacements and 1,075 will be for growth. The additional 2,605 will be split between 1,120 small aircraft, 855 mid-size widebodies, and 630 large widebodies. Overall, of the 2,605 additional freighters, 1,670 will be conversions from passenger aircraft and 935 will be new-build freighters. The OEM also forecasts trade lanes and therefore air cargo flows diversification, as more countries in the Asia-Pacific region become industrial centers. Likewise, GDP and demographic forecasts indicate that new countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, or Vietnam will emerge as major consumer economies in the coming decades. This will initiate a gradual shift in air cargo geography and the global air freight map. Of the total need for 2,605 freighter deliveries over the next 20 years, Asia-Pacific and North America will account for nearly two-thirds of demand, requiring 850 and 920 aircraft, respectively.
