Airlines in India and South Asia will require nearly 3,300 new aircraft by 2044 as passenger and cargo traffic continue to rise sharply, US aircraft maker Boeing said on Wednesday, underlining that single-aisle jets will dominate future fleet expansion in the region.

According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for India and South Asia, single-aisle or narrow-body aircraft will account for almost 90 per cent of the projected deliveries, totalling 2,875 planes, while demand for wide-body aircraft is estimated at 395. The outlook also projects minimal demand for regional jets, at less than 10 aircraft over the 2025–2044 period.

Presenting the outlook on the sidelines of the four-day aviation summit Wings India 2026, Boeing Managing Director of Commercial Marketing, Eurasia and Indian Subcontinent Ashwin Naidu said India remains a key growth market for the company.

“India is a growth market and the country will add more planes,” Naidu said, adding that India is the fastest-growing aviation region globally, with its fleet expected to quadruple over the next 20 years.

Boeing expects strong growth in passenger traffic to drive fleet expansion. “India and South Asia's passenger air traffic will rise an average of 7 per cent annually over the next 20 years, spurred by a growing middle class, economic growth and airport and connectivity investments,” the company said.

The CMO estimates that, accounting for both growth and replacement, the combined Indian and South Asian fleet will expand from 795 aircraft currently to 2,925 aircraft over the next two decades.

“Accounting for growth and replacement, the Indian and South Asian region's fleet will grow from 795 to 2,925 airplanes in two decades, a nearly fourfold increase over that time,” it said.

As air travel demand rises, Boeing said the region’s airlines will also need to significantly expand their workforce. Over the next 20 years, carriers in India and South Asia will require around 45,000 pilots, 45,000 technicians and 51,000 cabin crew, according to the outlook.

The aircraft maker also highlighted growing long-haul opportunities, noting that Indian and South Asian airlines are expected to broaden and diversify their international networks as India emerges as a major global aviation hub.

“The South Asia region's widebody fleet will more than triple by 2044 as carriers enable millions of Indian and South Asian passengers to travel to international markets including the Middle East, Europe and North America,” Boeing said.

Beyond aircraft deliveries, Boeing estimated that more than USD 195 billion will be required for aviation services in the region, including maintenance, repair and modifications, digital services and training.

The outlook also flagged strong growth in air cargo, driven by India’s expanding high-tech manufacturing base and the rising role of e-commerce. “The South Asia region's fleet of new and converted freighters is expected to grow five times its current size over the next two decades to support rising air cargo demand,” Boeing said.

At the same time, Boeing executives cautioned against over-reliance on regional jets, citing cost pressures and infrastructure constraints. A senior Boeing executive said maintaining operational expenses for regional jets is increasingly challenging in India, where airlines need the cost efficiency of single-aisle aircraft.

Addressing queries on regional jets during the briefing, Naidu pointed to Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM) or Cost per Available Seat Kilometre (CASK) as a key concern. According to him, CASK is a challenge even with larger aircraft and becomes an even bigger issue with regional jets.

With Indian airports already facing congestion, Naidu argued in favour of deploying higher-capacity aircraft. Regional jets, he said, may appear viable in the early stages of an operation but quickly become inadequate as demand grows. “Regional jets may look good in year one or year two of an operation but very quickly, the market outgrows the regional jet. That is why, ultimately, India's aviation market requires single aisle economics in order for it to make the equation.”

The comments come amid renewed focus on regional connectivity, especially to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and a recent announcement by Adani Group and Embraer to set up a manufacturing facility for regional jets in India. However, Boeing’s latest outlook makes clear that the bulk of future growth in India and South Asia will be driven by single-aisle and wide-body aircraft rather than smaller regional jets.