Boeing Forecasts Air Cargo Growth and Seeks 35 More 777 Freighters
Boeing projects air-cargo traffic will average 3.5% annual growth through 2045 and has asked the FAA to approve production of 35 additional 777 Freighters.
Boeing presented its 2026 World Air Cargo Forecast at the TIACA Air Cargo Forum in Miami, with vice president of Commercial Marketing Darren Hulst discussing cargo trends and a request to build 35 more 777 Freighters. Boeing’s forecast projects global air-cargo traffic to double by 2045 compared with 2025.
Key details
- Boeing’s forecast projects average annual global air-cargo traffic growth of 3.5% through 2045.
- The company projects a global freighter fleet of 4,010 aircraft by 2045, with 2,930 new and converted freighter deliveries over the forecast period.
- Boeing asked the FAA for permission to build 35 additional 777 Freighters over three years, through December 31, 2030.
- Production of the current 777 Freighter is scheduled to end on December 31, 2027.
- Boeing forecasts dedicated freighters will carry more than half of global air-cargo traffic by 2045, while integrators will account for 25%.
Boeing projects global air-cargo traffic will double by 2045 compared with 2025.
Why it matters
The forecast projects the freighter fleet will grow at an average annual rate of 2.6%, slower than the expected rate of cargo-traffic growth. Boeing also anticipates the South Asia–East Asia air-cargo market will reach 3.2 times its current traffic level by 2045.
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