Airbus forecasts global air travel demand will nearly double by 2045, reaching approximately 10 billion passengers annually, driven by urbanisation and GDP growth. The sector requires over 42,000 new aircraft to replace aging fleets and meet rising demand, with passenger traffic projected to grow 3.9% annually. Urbanisation is shifting toward smaller cities, creating new economically viable city pairings enabled by increasingly efficient aircraft. By 2045, nearly 100% of the global fleet will consist of the newest generation aircraft, compared to 39% in 2026. Airlines must modernize fleets to capitalize on new routes, while manufacturers face a massive production target to deliver 42,000+ new aircraft over two decades.