Latin American airlines will require 2,720 new passenger aircraft between 2026 and 2045, Airbus forecasts, as the region’s commercial fleet expands from 1,550 to 2,770 aircraft. The estimate, presented in Mexico City during the ALTA AGM & Airline Leaders Forum, covers the overall market and includes 2,520 single-aisle aircraft and 200 widebodies from all manufacturers.
The projection is higher than Airbus’s previous estimate of 2,440 aircraft. Of the expected demand, 1,220 aircraft will support fleet growth, while 1,500 will replace older-generation aircraft.
Passenger traffic in Latin America is expected to rise by approximately 3.4% to 3.7% annually through 2045. Domestic traffic is projected to grow by about 4% per year, while traffic within Latin America and the Caribbean is forecast to increase by 3.3% annually.
Airbus linked the expected expansion to economic development, urbanisation, a growing middle class and rising demand for air travel. More than 90% of the projected aircraft requirement will be for narrowbody jets, reflecting the central role of single-aisle aircraft in domestic and regional connectivity.