North America will be the largest regional source of freighter demand through 2045, requiring 925 aircraft, Airbus forecasts. The manufacturer expects global airlines and cargo operators to need 2,670 dedicated freighters over the next two decades, with Asia-Pacific ranking second at 850 aircraft. Together, the two regions will account for about two-thirds of projected demand as the worldwide freighter fleet expands 46% to 3,460 aircraft.
Airbus presented the forecast at the Cargo Facts Symposium as part of its 2026 Cargo Global Market Forecast. Of the projected requirement, 1,580 aircraft will replace ageing freighters and 1,090 will support fleet growth. The total comprises 970 new-build aircraft and 1,700 passenger-to-freighter conversions.
The forecast mix includes 1,140 single-aisle freighters, 860 mid-size widebodies and 670 large widebodies. Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States are expected to require 515 aircraft, followed by Latin America with 165, the Middle East with 125 and Africa with 90.
Airbus projects global air-cargo traffic to grow by 3.2% annually over the next 20 years, alongside long-term trade growth of 2.9% a year. Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the leading international air-cargo region, while traffic on Asia-Pacific–North America routes is forecast to increase by 3.8% annually.