Boeing to increase fleet size of freighters from 15 to 80 by 2041

The rise in demand for cargo movement across the country mainly fuelled by the growth of e-commerce and expansion of electronics manufacturing, has led to Boeing taking the decision to increase the fleet size of cargo aircraft in the country from the current 15 to 80 by 2041, said reports. “India experienced a surge in cargo demand during the pandemic, and we expect this to continue. Firstly, the growth in e-commerce is fuelling demand for narrow body conversions. Additionally, the expansion of Indian electronics manufacturing, particularly in higher-value manufacturing, is a significant driver of cargo demand,” said reports online. According to Airports Authority of India data, operational airports handled 3.14 million tonne of freight in 2021-22, which is 94% of freight handled in 2017-18. Carriers like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express are looking at increasing their freighter fleet size. SpiceJet, in fact has hived off its cargo and logistics business SpiceXpress into a separate entity — SpiceXpress and Logistics — beginning this month. Boeing’s World Air Cargo Forecast 2022 has forecast doubling of cargo traffic and a 60% increase in the world’s freighter fleet by 2041.