Boeing has forecasted that Indian and South Asian airlines will add 2,835 commercial jets to their fleets in the next 20 years. This represents a four-fold increase from current numbers, driven by a growing middle class and strong economic growth, which will fuel travel demand.

This is an update from last year's forecast, where Boeing had estimated 2,705 jets for the same period. Ashwin Naidu, Boeing’s director for commercial marketing in India and South Asia, mentioned that more people will be able to travel by air, and airlines will need new, fuel-efficient planes to handle the rising demand.

Of the new aircraft, 2,445 will be single-aisle jets, making up about 90 percent of deliveries, while the number of widebody jets will grow four times, with 370 expected to be added. Boeing also predicts that air traffic in the region will grow at a rate of over 7 percent annually until 2043.

India, which is the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, has become the fastest-growing one. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India are leading the charge. However, global airlines face challenges in getting planes on time due to supply chain issues affecting both Boeing and Airbus. Production at both companies is also delayed, with order books full for several years.

Boeing's deliveries dropped to their lowest level in 2024 since the COVID-19 pandemic, partly due to a strike. However, the company is making efforts to increase production. In comparison, Airbus slightly missed its 2024 target.

In addition, the demand for pilots, cabin crew, and technicians is expected to grow by four times, reaching 129,000 over the next two decades.

On another note, IndiGo announced it will lease a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebody jet from Norse Atlantic Airways. This move is part of IndiGo’s strategy to expand into long-haul routes. The airline is also considering future collaborations with Norse Atlantic Airways to add more aircraft.

Currently, Indian airlines have about 1,800 aircraft on order, and they are set to receive 130 jets this year, according to Cirium Ascend.