Middle East Aviatio: Airbus Predicts Fleet to More Than Double by 2044

The skies over the Middle East are poised for a dramatic transformation. Airbus has released its 2025 Global Market Forecast, projecting the region’s commercial aircraft fleet to soar from 1,480 planes in 2024 to a staggering 3,700 by 2044.

The growth will be fueled largely by demand for widebody jets, which will account for 42% of new aircraft deliveries—the highest global share and more than double the world average. In total, Airbus anticipates 4,080 new passenger aircraft deliveries over the next two decades, including 2,380 single-aisle and 1,700 widebody aircraft.

“The Middle East is becoming the hub for long-haul travel, now and into the future,” said Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East. “We are proud to partner with regional airlines, delivering the most efficient, state-of-the-art aircraft, full support, and sustainable solutions.”

Passenger traffic in the region is forecasted to grow at an annual rate of 4.4%, supported by booming tourism, trade, and economic expansion. With the population expected to rise by 240 million by 2044, air travel demand is set to skyrocket further.

Airbus also predicts that over 265,000 new aviation jobs will be created in the Middle East over the next 20 years. This includes 69,000 new pilots, nearly 64,000 technicians, and 132,000 cabin crew members. The commercial aviation services sector is projected to be worth around $30 billion, focusing on aircraft maintenance, training, operations, air traffic management, cabin upgrades, and connectivity solutions.

With the Middle East positioned at the strategic crossroads of global air traffic, Airbus says the region will continue to drive worldwide growth in widebody aircraft, reshaping the global aviation landscape for decades to come.