At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, Boeing announced a transformative outlook for Middle Eastern aviation, forecasting the region’s commercial airplane fleet will more than double over the next 20 years. The catalyst for this expansion is the region’s strategic position as a global crossroads, with its modern hubs within an eight-hour flight of 80% of the world’s population.
Boeing’s 2025 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) projects Middle Eastern carriers will require 2,950 new commercial airplanes by 2044. A central driver is unparalleled demand for widebody aircraft, with nearly 1,400 new jets needed—the largest share globally—to bolster long-haul networks. This growth is expected to push the region’s share of global passenger traffic beyond 10%, fueled by rising tourism, trade, hub development, and an expanding middle class.
“The Middle East continues to outperform global economic growth in passenger traffic, solidifying its role as a world-leading connector,” said Darren Hulst, Boeing vice president of Commercial Marketing. “Airlines will require highly efficient and versatile fleets to serve both long-haul and regional demand for decades to come.”
The fleet renewal will also see significant single-aisle growth, with 1,430 deliveries anticipated. Low-cost carriers are projected to capture nearly 25% of the region’s seat capacity, serving intra-regional and short-haul international markets. Furthermore, the air cargo sector is set for major expansion, with 185 new freighters needed, 75% of which will be large widebodies for premium cargo.
Supporting this physical fleet growth will be a massive investment in infrastructure and personnel. Boeing forecasts demand for $455 billion in commercial aviation services and 234,000 new aviation professionals. The region’s established maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector is poised to be a key beneficiary, servicing both local and global operators.
Published annually for over six decades, Boeing’s CMO provides critical data for the industry, underscoring the Middle East’s pivotal and growing role in shaping the future of global air travel and trade.
