Aircraft maker Airbus on Saturday (November 15, 2025) said the Asia Pacific region is projected to need 19,560 new narrow-body and wide-body aircraft over the next 20 years, driven mainly by demand from India and China. The demand represents 46% of the global requirement for 42,520 new aircraft over a 20-year time frame, Airbus said. Anand Stanley, president of Airbus Asia Pacific, said in Bangkok that India and China were driving a large share of the growth.

With increasing passenger traffic, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to see annual passenger growth of $4. 4%, higher than the global average of 3. 6%.

India is one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets in the world and airlines have placed huge orders to expand their fleet to meet the growing traffic demand. Presenting the forecast during the annual gathering of presidents of the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) in Bangkok, Airbus said the region is projected to need about 3,500 wide-body aircraft over the next 20 years.

This number represents 43% of global demand in the large-body aircraft categories. According to the forecast, the Asia Pacific region will require approximately 16,100 single-aisle aircraft, accounting for 47% of new deliveries globally in the given time period.

“Approximately 68 percent of the aircraft will support the expansion of the delivery fleet, while 32% will replace older models, making a significant contribution to decarbonization efforts. The next generation of Airbus wide-body aircraft offers an immediate 25% improvement in fuel efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions,” Airbus said.