Staying current
The Boeing Current Market Outlook describes our long-term forecast for air transport. Each year, we start with the latest economic and market conditions, then project ahead 20 years to forecast how airlines and markets will adjust to these volatile issues.
In September, we expanded the forecast to provide the latest detail on individual markets in the Asia Pacific region.
Staying current also means keeping up with the latest technology for presenting the forecast. This year we introduce an entirely Web-based CMO with interactive tools to make it easy to use the comprehensive forecast data. The full dataset is available in Excel format and a printable version of the whole site is available in PDF format using the links in the right-hand panel of each page.
Travel values
The incredible resilience of air transport is reflected in forecasts we have published over the past 45 years. Over the past 20 years, the industry experienced several economic downturns, yet grew by an average of around 5 percent per year. We expect that the continued dependence of people and businesses around the world on timely, reliable and efficient air transport will result in a similar growth trend over the next 20 years.
Demand diversity
Air transport throughout the world is constantly changing in response to market opportunities and challenges. The rise of new airline business models and rapid growth of air travel in the world's emerging economies are stabilizing worldwide demand for airplanes. Even during times of general slowing, some markets gain through regional economic growth and reduced market regulation.
New airplanes
The significant advantage in efficiency and capability that new airplanes offer is keeping airplane demand strong. Starting from record highs, manufacturer backlogs are holding up well, despite recent market conditions. Fuel-efficient airplanes are a natural hedge against jet fuel price volatility, and their lower emissions help airlines meet their environmental performance goals.
Future freight
As the future freighter fleet shifts toward larger freighters and new, more efficient airplanes, air cargo transport will be kept affordable. Air cargo traffic will grow an average of 5.4 percent per year, driven by rising world GDP and the reliance of global industry on fast delivery and international production and delivery systems.
