Commercial Aircraft Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Aircraft Type (Narrow-Body Aircraft, Wide-body Aircraft, Regional Aircraft), By Engine Type (Turbofan, Turboprop), By Application (Passenger Aircraft, Freight Aircraft), By End Use (Government, Private) and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 172.05 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.46%
Fastest Growing Segment	Narrow-Body Aircraft
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 236.69 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Commercial Aircraft Market will grow from USD 172.05 Billion in 2025 to USD 236.69 Billion by 2031 at a 5.46% CAGR. Commercial aircraft are fixed-wing vehicles designed and operated by airlines for the transportation of paying passengers and cargo. The market is primarily propelled by the resurgence in global air travel demand and the operational necessity for airlines to replace aging fleets with fuel-efficient alternatives to reduce operating costs. Additionally, economic expansion in emerging regions fosters higher disposable incomes and stimulates increased passenger traffic which necessitates fleet expansion for network carriers.

However, the market faces impediments due to persistent supply chain disruptions which delay production schedules and hinder the timely delivery of new units. These logistical bottlenecks restrict manufacturers from fully capitalizing on the robust recovery in air travel. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, total revenue passenger kilometers increased by 7.1 percent in October compared to the previous year. This disparity between rising service demand and constrained manufacturing output remains a critical obstacle for industry expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in global air passenger traffic and travel demand functions as a critical engine for the Global Commercial Aircraft Market, compelling network carriers to increase fleet capacity to service growing route density. As international borders fully reopen and consumer confidence returns, airlines are prioritizing the acquisition of new assets to manage the substantial volume of leisure and business travelers. This mobility demand places immense pressure on manufacturers to accelerate production rates for both single-aisle and wide-body airframes to prevent capacity shortages on high-traffic corridors. According to the International Air Transport Association, June 2024, in the 'Global Outlook for Air Transport', it is projected that 4.96 billion passengers will travel by air in 2024, effectively surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Consequently, carriers are aggressively expanding their order books to secure delivery slots, ensuring they can capture market share in this expanding landscape.

Simultaneously, the accelerated replacement of aging fleets with fuel-efficient aircraft stimulates continuous market activity as operators strive to lower variable costs and achieve sustainability benchmarks. Modernizing fleets allows airlines to retire fuel-intensive models, thereby improving operating margins and ensuring compliance with tightening noise and emissions standards. According to Boeing, July 2024, in the 'Commercial Market Outlook 2024-2043', it is forecasted that of the nearly 44,000 new airplanes required over the next two decades, approximately 44 percent will be dedicated to replacing older jets. This renewal cycle ensures a steady stream of orders even during periods of economic fluctuation, as the operational benefits of modern propulsion systems outweigh the capital expenditure. Reflecting the financial magnitude of these operations, according to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, total airline industry revenues are expected to reach a record 996 billion USD.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Persistent supply chain disruptions serve as a primary impediment to the growth of the Global Commercial Aircraft Market. These logistical bottlenecks, characterized by shortages in raw materials and critical components like engines and semiconductors, severely restrict the manufacturing capabilities of original equipment manufacturers. As a result, production lines are unable to scale up to meet the surging airline demand for new fleet additions. This inability to deliver new units forces airlines to extend the service life of aging, less efficient aircraft, which increases maintenance and fuel costs while simultaneously limiting the total seat capacity available to capture revenue from the recovery in global travel.

The disparity between airline fleet requirements and actual manufacturing output is statistically significant. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, the aviation industry received delivery of only 1,254 commercial aircraft, a figure which stands approximately 30 percent below the delivery volumes seen during pre-pandemic peaks. This shortfall prevents the market from realizing its full revenue potential, as the backlog of unfilled orders continues to grow without a corresponding increase in the transactional turnover of completed assets.

Key Market Trends

The market is witnessing a fundamental restructuring as airlines increasingly favor long-range narrow-body aircraft to optimize route networks for flexibility and economic efficiency. Carriers are deploying these versatile single-aisle airframes on long-haul routes previously dominated by wide-body jets, enabling direct point-to-point connections with reduced trip costs. This operational pivot forces manufacturers to concentrate industrial resources on increasing throughput for popular narrow-body programs that offer extended range capabilities, effectively altering the traditional segmentation of fleet compositions. According to Boeing, July 2024, in the 'Commercial Market Outlook 2024-2043', single-aisle models are projected to comprise 76 percent of all new commercial airplane deliveries over the next two decades, underscoring the segment's growing dominance over larger airframes.

Concurrently, the aviation sector is aggressively scaling the production and utilization of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to decouple growth from carbon emissions. This trend focuses on transforming the energy supply chain to ensure existing and future aircraft meet rigorous environmental mandates without requiring immediate changes to propulsion technology. Airlines are solidifying long-term offtake agreements with energy providers to stimulate infrastructure investment and secure necessary volumes for immediate emissions reduction across their networks. According to the International Air Transport Association, June 2024, in a press release regarding the 'Net Zero Carbon Emissions' roadmap, production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel is expected to triple in 2024 to reach 1.9 billion liters, demonstrating the rapid industrial mobilization to support this transition.

Segmental Insights

The Narrow-Body Aircraft segment is currently the fastest-growing sector in the Global Commercial Aircraft Market. This trajectory is primarily fueled by the rapid expansion of low-cost carriers, which rely on single-aisle fleets to maintain cost effectiveness on short-haul, high-frequency routes. Furthermore, legacy airlines are accelerating fleet modernization programs to enhance fuel efficiency and align with sustainability goals advocated by the International Civil Aviation Organization. This dual demand for operational flexibility and economic performance ensures that narrow-body models continue to lead market deliveries globally.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the global commercial aircraft market, driven by rising disposable incomes and robust passenger demand in key nations like China and India. This surge compels regional airlines to expand fleets and replace older aircraft to maintain efficiency. The aggressive growth of low-cost carriers also necessitates substantial aircraft procurement to serve price-sensitive travelers. Data from the International Air Transport Association indicates that this region generates the majority of new air traffic demand. Consequently, these factors establish Asia Pacific as the central hub for aircraft orders and deliveries within the global aviation sector.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, Boeing and NASA successfully completed a comprehensive series of wind tunnel tests designed to validate aerodynamic technologies for future sustainable commercial airliners. The research focused on the performance of high-aspect-ratio wings, which are longer and thinner than conventional designs to improve fuel efficiency. The engineering teams tested advanced control systems capable of mitigating the structural vibrations and aeroelastic effects caused by wind gusts on such flexible wing structures. This technical achievement provided critical data for the development of the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept, directly contributing to industry efforts to reduce emissions in the next generation of commercial aircraft.
• In January 2025, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) achieved a major operational breakthrough when its C919 aircraft began its first commercial service outside of mainland China. Launch customer China Eastern Airlines inaugurated the narrow-body jet on a scheduled route connecting Shanghai to Hong Kong, marking a pivotal step in the aircraft's market expansion. This development demonstrated the operational maturity of the C919 on high-profile regional routes, positioning it as a viable competitor in the single-aisle segment. The successful deployment highlighted the manufacturer's progress in scaling operations and its intent to increase its presence in the global commercial aircraft market.
• In November 2024, Embraer strengthened its industrial footprint in the Asia-Pacific region by entering into a strategic collaboration with Indonesian Aerospace. The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint opportunities within the commercial aviation market, specifically focusing on engineering cooperation and the supply of aerostructures. This agreement was established to leverage the Brazilian manufacturer's technical expertise alongside the local partner's production capabilities. The collaboration aimed to enhance supply chain resilience and foster technological development, supporting Embraer's broader objective to expand its commercial aerospace activities in rapidly growing international markets.
• In July 2024, Airbus reached a significant milestone in the commercial aviation sector by securing Type Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its A321XLR aircraft. This regulatory approval covered the version equipped with CFM LEAP-1A engines, formally validating the safety and design compliance of the long-range single-aisle jet. The aircraft was engineered to fly up to 4,700 nautical miles, a capability intended to allow airlines to operate narrow-body vessels on extended routes previously exclusive to wide-body models. This certification paved the way for the manufacturer to proceed with initial customer deliveries and entry-into-service.

Key Market Players

• Airbus SE
• The Boeing Company
• Embraer S.A.
• Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China
• Bombardier Inc.
• United Aircraft Corporation
• Dassault Aviation
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
• Korea Aerospace Industries
• Textron Aviation

By Aircraft Type	By Engine Type	By Application	By End Use	By Region
Narrow-Body Aircraft Wide-body Aircraft Regional Aircraft	Turbofan Turboprop	Passenger Aircraft Freight Aircraft	Government Private	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Commercial Aircraft Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Commercial Aircraft Market, By Aircraft Type:

• Narrow-Body Aircraft
• Wide-body Aircraft
• Regional Aircraft

• Commercial Aircraft Market, By Engine Type:

• Turbofan
• Turboprop

• Commercial Aircraft Market, By Application:

• Passenger Aircraft
• Freight Aircraft

• Commercial Aircraft Market, By End Use:

• Government
• Private

• Commercial Aircraft Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE