How many aircraft are there: Global fleet size and hot aviation topics
Recently, the global aviation industry has frequently appeared, from new aircraft delivery to route adjustments, from technological breakthroughs to environmental disputes, becoming a hot topic on social media and news platforms. This article will sort out the aviation hotspots in the past 10 days and show the current status of global fleet size through structured data.
1. Latest data on global fleet size
According to public data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and aircraft manufacturers, as of July 2024, the total global commercial aircraft volume is as follows:
| Model Category | Active number | Percentage | Major operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow body passenger aircraft | 18,750 aircraft | 62% | Southwest Airlines, Ryanair |
| Wide-body passenger aircraft | 6,200 aircraft | 20% | Emirates, Singapore Airlines |
| Regional passenger plane | 4,650 aircraft | 15% | Air West, Brazilian Blue |
| Cargo aircraft | 950 aircraft | 3% | FedEx, UPS Airlines |
2. Recent hot topics about aviation
1.Boeing 737 MAX 10 Airworthiness Certification Extended
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the postponement of the certification review of the 737 MAX 10, causing several airlines to adjust their capacity plans for 2025. The model currently receives orders of 687 aircraft, but has not been delivered yet.
2.Airbus A321XLR's first flight was successful
On July 15, the narrow-body aircraft with a range of 4,700 miles completed its first flight test and is expected to be delivered in 2024Q4. More than 500 aircraft have been ordered, becoming a new competitor for the transatlantic route.
3.Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production dispute
Data from the International Energy Agency shows that SAF accounts for only 0.1% of the total aviation fuel in 2023, triggering protests from environmental protection organizations. Major airlines promise to increase their proportion to 10% by 2030.
| airline | SAF usage target | Actual usage in 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa | 10% by 2030 | 3,000 tons |
| Delta Airlines | 35% by 2030 | 8,000 tons |
| Singapore Airlines | 5% by 2030 | 02,000 tons |
3. Regional fleet expansion trends
1.The largest order in the history of Indian Airlines
Air India Group confirmed orders for 470 aircraft (including 250 Airbus A320neo and 220 Boeing 737 MAX), with a total value of more than $60 billion.
2.China Commercial Aircraft C919 delivery speeds up
The seventh C919 was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on July 18. At present, this model has operated popular routes such as Beijing-Shanghai and Shanghai-Chengdu, with a cumulative passenger capacity of more than 500,000 passengers.
| Commercial Aircraft Models | Delivered quantity | Total orders | Major customers |
|---|---|---|---|
| C919 | 7 aircraft | 1065 aircraft | China Eastern Airlines, Air China |
| ARJ21 | 112 aircraft | 670 aircraft | Chengdu Airlines, Jiangxi Airlines |
4. Forecast data for the next ten years
Boeing's "Commercial Market Outlook" shows that by 2042, 42,595 new aircraft will be needed worldwide, including:
| area | New machine demand | Value (trillion dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | 17,820 aircraft | 3.5 |
| North America | 9250 aircraft | 1.8 |
| Europe | 7350 aircraft | 1.4 |
Conclusion
The total number of commercial aircraft worldwide is about 30,600. With the recovery of air travel demand and the rise of emerging markets, the fleet size is expected to grow by 140% in the next two decades. At the same time, environmental pressures and technological innovation are reshaping the industry structure, making the answer to the question "how many aircraft are there" always dynamic changes.
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