Airbus trims 20-year jet demand forecast to 42,060 aircraft

Airbus released its 2026-2045 Global Market Forecast in London on July 8, projecting demand for 42,060 new passenger and freighter aircraft over the next two decades - down about 1% from its prior rolling forecast after the Iran war and trade tensions slowed a post-pandemic rebound. The planemaker sees passenger traffic growing 3.9% annually, driven by GDP growth, rising urban populations and an expanding middle class, with India the fastest-growing major market at a revised 9.1% domestic growth rate. The forecast underpins Airbus's long-term production ambitions as it works to lift output across its A320neo and widebody lines.