Boeing Sees Freighter Fleet Hitting 4,010 Airplanes by 2045
MIAMI – October 29, 2026 -- Boeing projects that air cargo traffic will double over the next 20 years, lifting the global freighter fleet 67% from 2,395 airplanes in 2025 to 4,010 by 2045. The forecast, part of the company's 2026 World Air Cargo Forecast, was released at The International Air Cargo Association's Air Cargo Forum in Miami.
Operators need 2,930 new and converted freighters over 20 years
About 55% of those deliveries will add capacity, while roughly 45% will replace older, less efficient freighters. Two-thirds of deliveries will be converted passenger airplanes, and the remainder will be new-production freighters.
Dedicated freighters are expected to carry more than half of global air cargo traffic in the long term. Historically, main-deck freighters have moved approximately 55% of traffic measured in cargo tonne-kilometers.