# The Global Commercial Aircraft Fleet

**Publisher:** IATA  
**Published:** n/a  
**Category:** Global institutions & policy  
**Type:** Report  
**Access:** Free PDF  
**Official source:** https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/reports/the-global-commercial-aircraft-fleet  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/iata-the-global-commercial-aircraft-fleet

## At a glance
- Global commercial fleet: 35,550 aircraft total; 30,300 active, 5,250 in storage as of June 2025.
- Aircraft shortage since 2019 has forced airlines to retain older, less efficient aircraft longer than planned.
- Narrowbody jets represent nearly 60% of global fleet; A320 and 737 families account for over 90% of narrowbody segment.
- Delivery shortfall 2019–2026: approximately 5,284 aircraft versus pre-covid historical trend.
- Fleet normalisation unlikely before 2031–2034; aircraft parked for over five years have reached unprecedented levels.

## What the report covers
IATA's August 2025 report examines the global commercial aircraft fleet structure and dynamics as of mid-2025. It analyses manufacturing constraints that began in 2019, including delayed deliveries, suppressed retirement cycles, and aging fleet retention across 152 aircraft series from 26 manufacturers. The report covers fleet composition by aircraft type and manufacturer, retirement and storage trends, and medium-term normalisation prospects.

## Key findings
The global commercial fleet totalled 35,550 aircraft in June 2025: 30,300 active and 5,250 in storage. Two manufacturers account for 80% of the active fleet; the top five represent nearly 95%. Narrowbody aircraft comprise nearly 60% of total fleet and account for close to 60% of global available seat kilometres, driven by high utilisation rates and optimal capacity-range balance.

Aircraft retirement rates remain near record lows due to manufacturing shortages. Airlines have been forced to retain aging equipment longer than planned, resulting in the highest average fleet age in aviation history. This delays fleet transition to more fuel-efficient models and slows sustainability progress.

Long-term aircraft storage has reached unprecedented levels. Aircraft parked for over five years now represent a significantly larger share of the global fleet than historical benchmarks, indicating deeper shifts in fleet economics. The secondary market for mid-life aircraft has tightened, elevating residual values and making outright retirement less attractive. Airlines retain older aircraft as hedges against delivery uncertainty.

Cumulative deliveries between 2019 and 2026 are expected to total approximately 10,720 aircraft, compared with 16,004 expected based on pre-covid trends (2010–2018 average). This shortfall of roughly 5,284 units represents several years of normal production and reflects both covid-related production halts and ongoing manufacturing constraints. Fleet normalisation is unlikely before 2031–2034.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Global commercial aircraft fleet size | 35,550 aircraft | June 2025: 30,300 active, 5,250 in storage |
| Market concentration: top two manufacturers | 80% of active fleet | Observed current composition |
| Narrowbody aircraft share | Nearly 60% of global fleet | By count and by global available seat kilometres |
| A320 and 737 share of narrowbody segment | Over 90% | Including neo and Max variants |
| Expected deliveries 2019–2026 (pre-covid baseline) | 16,004 aircraft | Based on 2010–2018 average growth rate |
| Actual deliveries 2019–2026 | Approximately 10,720 aircraft | Expected through 2026 |
| Delivery shortfall 2019–2026 | Approximately 5,284 aircraft | Gap versus pre-covid trend |
| Estimated fleet normalisation timeframe | 2031–2034 | Forecast dependent on production recovery |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — Aircraft shortages constrain flight frequency and route expansion, limiting inbound tourism capacity and competitive positioning. DMOs must account for prolonged supply constraints in visitor arrival forecasts through 2034 and adjust capacity planning accordingly. Fleet aging affects airline cost structures and may drive network reductions on secondary routes.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Reduced aircraft supply suppresses overall demand growth. Aging fleets increase airline operating costs, risking margin pressure that may reduce premium service offerings. Hospitality operators must anticipate slower traffic growth through mid-decade and potential shifts in customer segments as carriers optimise capacity under supply constraints.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Aircraft shortages reshape network planning and seat inventory dynamics. Platforms must navigate volatile capacity management and reduced frequency on secondary routes. Normalisation delays to 2031–2034 suggest sustained market fragmentation, favouring real-time supply visibility and pricing flexibility tools.

## Methodology and limits
The report draws on official IATA fleet data as of June 2025, covering 35,550 registered commercial aircraft across 152 master series and 26 manufacturers. Historical delivery and retirement trends benchmark against 2010–2018 pre-covid averages. Storage duration analysis and fleet composition are based on observed registries. Normalisation timeframes represent IATA forecasts conditional on production recovery. This brief is based on the publicly available summary; full methodology and datasets are in the downloadable PDF.

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© IATA for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/reports/the-global-commercial-aircraft-fleet