Airbus Predicts Asia-Pacific Region Will Need 19,500 New Aircraft by 2043

According to Airbus’ latest Global Services Forecast (GSF), the Asia-Pacific commercial aircraft services market is set for massive growth, projected to more than double in value by 2043.

With an anticipated demand for around 19,500 new aircraft, the region’s services market could surge from today’s $52 billion to a staggering $129 billion.

This expansion is driven largely by a steady rise in annual air traffic, which Airbus estimates will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.81%.

The forecast highlights a notable demand for services supporting fleet expansion and modernization, encompassing all stages of an aircraft’s lifecycle—from delivery to end-of-life. Key service areas include fleet maintenance, aircraft upgrades, and training.

Breaking down the growth, the Maintenance market in the region is expected to more than double, rising from $43 billion today to $109 billion, with a CAGR of 5.0%.

The Enhancements and Modernization sector is forecasted to grow from $5.1 billion to $13 billion (5.1% CAGR), while Training and Operations are predicted to increase from $4.1 billion in 2024 to $7.6 billion by 2043 (3.3% CAGR).

Supporting this growth will require an influx of skilled professionals, with Airbus projecting a need for 999,000 new professionals in the Asia-Pacific region over the next 20 years.

This includes 268,000 new pilots, 298,000 technicians, and 433,000 cabin crew members, making up nearly 45% of global workforce demand in aviation.

“The Asia-Pacific region will see the largest volume of growth and activity in terms of aftermarket services, with many opportunities for additional efficiency, simplification, and responsible operations,” said Cristina Aguilar Grieder, Airbus’ Senior Vice President of Customer Services. Airbus aims to support this unprecedented growth, playing a pivotal role in assisting airlines and the wider aviation sector in meeting these new demands.