Boeing said on Wednesday that airlines in India and South Asia are expected to add 3,290 commercial aircraft to their fleets over the next two decades. The forecast is driven by strong economic growth, a rapidly expanding middle class, and a surge in first-time air travelers.
The projection marks a notable increase from Boeing’s previous 20-year outlook, which estimated demand for 2,835 aircraft in the region.
India and South Asia have become one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally. Airlines are racing to expand capacity and modernize fleets as airport infrastructure improves and both low-cost and full-service carriers aggressively grow their route networks.
The region has also become a critical battleground for aircraft manufacturers, with Airbus and Boeing competing intensely for market share as airlines accelerate aircraft purchases.
Boeing expects regional carriers to take delivery of 395 wide-body aircraft and 2,875 single-aisle jets over the forecast period.
The company’s outlook for India and South Asia is closely monitored across the global aerospace industry. India is currently the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, behind the United States and China, and is also the fastest-growing. Expansion has been led by major carriers such as IndiGo and Air India.
Ashwin Naidu, Boeing’s managing director of commercial marketing for India and South Asia, said many mature aviation markets are now focused primarily on replacing aging aircraft rather than expanding fleets. India, he noted, is doing the opposite, with rapid fleet growth still underway.
Naidu added that India will need to significantly scale up aviation infrastructure to support rising demand. He pointed out that more than 30% of the country’s air traffic network remains concentrated around Delhi and Mumbai, highlighting the need for broader regional connectivity.
Boeing has recently regained momentum after several years marked by operational challenges. The company delivered its highest number of aircraft in 2025 since 2018 and surpassed Airbus in net orders for the first time in seven years.
Despite strong demand, the global aviation industry continues to face delivery delays. Ongoing supply chain disruptions are limiting manufacturers’ ability to ramp up production, forcing airlines to keep older aircraft in service longer and absorb higher maintenance costs.
