Number 1 most read article of 2025: 2025 Forecast

Companies throughout the aerospace supply chain are struggling to overcome parts shortages and workforce challenges to produce the commercial aircraft the market wants. The demand is strong: global passenger traffic is projected to surpass 10 billion passengers in 2025, according to electronic payments company ACI World. That figure is up 6% from 2024 and up more than 16% from 2019.

Aircraft leasing company Avolon predicts the global airline industry will reach $1 trillion in revenue for the first time during 2025. According to its analysis, the main driver behind this growth is the Asia-Pacific region, which will be adding more capacity than all other regions of the world combined.

At the same time, the aircraft manufacturing industry strains to supply airlines and leasing companies with modern, fuel-efficient jetliners. Avolon expects aircraft deliveries to be ramped up by 20% in 2025. However, Airbus and Boeing order books will remain full for years to come. Avolon predicts this year may even see new delivery slots for narrowbody aircraft stretching from the 2030s into the 2040s. With production rates lower than anticipated, the backlog that was expected to last a decade may now last 14 years if current production rates don’t increase.

Revisit the experts’ predictions for the past year as we prepare for the 2026 Forecast.