The Asia-Pacific region is poised for a massive aviation boom, with Airbus forecasting the need for 19,560 new commercial aircraft over the next two decades. India and China are expected to be the primary growth engines, accounting for most of the region’s demand as passenger traffic continues to soar and airlines rapidly expand their fleets. The region’s total represents 46 percent of global aircraft demand, estimated at 42,520 planes by 2045.

Speaking at the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines’ (AAPA) Annual Assembly of Presidents in Bangkok, Airbus Asia Pacific President Anand Stanley said passenger traffic across Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at 4.4 percent annually, outpacing the global average of 3.6 percent. “The region is entering an exciting phase of growth, backed by increasing air travel, expanding low-cost carriers, new routes, and improved airport infrastructure,” Stanley added.

Airbus’s latest forecast indicates that out of the total demand, around 16,100 will be single-aisle aircraft, representing 47 percent of the world’s deliveries, while about 3,500 will be wide-body planes—roughly 43 percent of global demand. This surge is being fueled by urbanization, greater affordability of air travel, and a push by regional carriers to connect smaller cities directly through non-stop routes.

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India’s domestic aviation industry has emerged as a key focus area in the region’s expansion. The country continues to invest heavily in airport infrastructure, including the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of on October 8. Built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, the airport will be India’s first fully digital airport, eventually handling up to 90 million passengers annually. The facility will feature automated check-in, digital immigration, and a people mover system connecting multiple terminals.

Meanwhile, the Noida International Airport at Jewar, another major aviation hub under development, achieved a major milestone recently with calibration flights by the Airports Authority of India. The airport is strategically connected to expressways, metro systems, and national rail routes, making it a key part of northern India’s transportation network. Airlines such as IndiGo and Akasa Air are preparing to launch operations from Navi Mumbai airport starting December 25, marking a new era of connectivity for the region.

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