Boeing eyes production ramp-up as Farnborough Airshow opens

Boeing The Boeing Company ↘ 1.59% released its 2026 Commercial Market Outlook on the eve of the Farnborough International Airshow, forecasting that airlines and cargo operators worldwide will need nearly 44,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years as global passenger traffic doubles. The airshow opened Monday in Hampshire, England, running through July 24.britishairshows+1

Fleet Growth and Delivery Breakdown

The forecast projects the global commercial fleet will grow nearly 80 percent, from roughly 28,000 aircraft today to more than 50,000 by 2045. Of the projected 43,625 total deliveries, about half would replace older jets with more fuel-efficient models. By category, Boeing expects 33,545 single-aisle, 7,715 widebody, 1,435 regional, and 930 freighter aircraft deliveries over the period.boeing+3

Passenger traffic is expected to grow 4 percent annually through 2045, while air cargo traffic is forecast to rise approximately 3.7 percent per year, with international freighter capacity already up 5 percent year-to-date in 2026.streetinsider+1

Production Focus Over New Orders

Boeing's presence at Farnborough this year centers on production ramp-up rather than headline-grabbing order announcements. According to Reuters, the company is focused on stabilizing 737 MAX output at 47 planes per month after receiving regulatory approval in May to reach that rate. CEO Kelly Ortberg told Bloomberg at the airshow that Boeing has "aspirations to get to 63 a month" on the 737 and plans to raise 787 Dreamliner production from eight to ten per month later this year.reuters+2

"Markets are very strong," Ortberg said, adding that the company sees "44,000 airplanes in the next 20 years".youtube

Looking Ahead

Boeing's annual outlook, published since 1961, arrives as the manufacturer works to recover production momentum after years of disruption. On the question of a next-generation aircraft program, Ortberg said the "market is not quite ready for the new airplane" but that Boeing is "studying" its options. Meanwhile, the 777X wide-body remains on track for certification and first customer deliveries in 2027.aviospace+2