Industry to witness surge in demand for converted freighters in next 20 years

According to the latest data from Airbus, freighter conversions will account for over 60% of new freighters over the next 20 years. There will be global demand for 2,510 freighter aircraft during the period 2023-2042. 920 of these will be newbuild and 1,590 will be conversions, stated Airbus, In its latest Global Market Forecast (GMF).
600 of the total freighter aircraft will be large widebody (> 80 t) aircraft, 890 will be mid-size widebody (40 t – 80 t) aircraft, and 1,020 will be single aisle (10 t-40 t) aircraft. This will see the world freighter fleet in service reach 3,230 aircraft by 2042. In its GMF, Airbus predicted demand for 40,850 new passenger & freighter aircraft during the period 2023-2042.
This is 1,360 more than in the 2022 GMF.
The Middle East is due to receive the most passenger and freighter aircraft, followed by Africa, and Europe & CIS. Growth of express air cargo will exceed general air cargo, said Airbus. In 2019, the express sector comprised 17% of the total air cargo market, while in 2042 it will comprise 25% of the market.