Dhaka, Oct. 27 -- Airbus has projected a 45pc rise in the global fleet of dedicated freighters over the next 20 years, despite recent delivery delays and supply chain challenges, according to its 2025 Cargo Global Market Forecast (GMF).

The worldwide freighter fleet is expected to reach 3,420 aircraft, comprising 815 existing freighters and 2,605 additional aircraft. Of the additional freighters, 1,530 will replace older aircraft and 1,075 will be newbuilds.

The 2,605 additional freighters will include 1,120 small aircraft, 855 mid-size widebodies, and 630 large widebodies, with 1,670 converted from passenger aircraft and 935 built new.

By comparison, Cirium's 2025-2044 fleet forecast anticipates nearly 3,300 new freighters over the ne...