News
Aircraft shortages could continue to 2031 global airline association forecasts
August 28th 2025
The global commercial aircraft shortage, which began in 2019, is not a temporary disruption but a structural constraint reshaping airline operations, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has determined. Read More » "Our latest paper highlights the depth and duration of this shortage, estimating normalization may not occur before 2031 and possibly extend to 2034. The shortage affects fleet renewal and de-carbonization efforts, making it crucial for aviation stakeholders to understand the supply-side constraints," IATA manager Industry Analysis team, Maciej Wardejn, said on LinkedIn. With a record high order backlog exceeding 17,000 aircraft, more than 5,000 more than pre-2019, the industry is operating with a "missing fleet" equivalent to several years of production. The IATA report said the reasons for the shortage are complex and multidimensional. "There is no one to blame for the current situation. Therefore, addressing the shortage will require coordinated efforts to expand production capacity, stabilize global supply chains and ensure a supportive and predictable regulatory and trade environment, IATA said. "The bottom line? The aircraft shortage is our new reality and it is here to stay for the long-term. Let’s work together to navigate these challenges and build a more resilient and sustainable aviation industry," Wardejn said.
