Boeing forecasts doubling of fleets in Latin America and the Caribbean

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing forecasts a nearly doubling of fleets in Latin America and the Caribbean over the next 20 years, with a projected need for 2,240 new aircraft.

The delivery of more than 2,000 single-aisle aircraft will surpass the current fleet to serve popular tourist routes between North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean while expanding regional networks.

“Latin America has experienced a strong upswing in air travel, particularly in the domestic market, with the region’s airlines successfully deploying single-aisle fleets for short-haul flights and expanding the global market,” said David Franson, regional director of market forecasting at Boeing.

Boeing shared the forecast for the region as part of its Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) report, an annual 20-year projection of demand for commercial aircraft and services.

More than half of the new aircraft deliveries will benefit business aviation growth across the continent, while the remaining orders will replace older aircraft with more fuel-efficient models such as the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, and 777X, Boeing said.

Over the past decade, Latin American carriers have opened more than 200 city pairs in the region, a harbinger of future demand for single-aisle aircraft, which will account for more than 90% of deliveries.

The Latin America forecast for 2022 to 2041 also includes the following projections:

• Passenger traffic in the region is expected to grow by 4.4% annually.
• The demand for commercial services, including maintenance and repair, is projected to reach US$165 billion.
• The freighter fleet in Latin America is projected to grow by up to 50% to 160 aircraft, in line with the long-term global trend in freighter demand.
• According to Boeing’s forecast for pilots and technicians, airlines in the region will need 118,000 new aviation workers over the next two decades, including 35,000 pilots, 35,000 technicians, and 48,000 flight attendants.
• Fleet renewal is critical to Boeing’s strategy to decarbonize airspace. New aircraft mean efficiency gains – each generation reduces fuel burn and emissions by 15% to 25%.
• Boeing will continue to invest in efficiency to reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions.

With information from Latina Press