BANGKOK, 20 November 2025: Asia Pacific airlines will require 19,560 new aircraft over the next 20 years, representing 46% of the global requirement of 42,520 new aircraft, according to Airbus’s latest regional market forecast.

Airbus Asia-Pacific, President Anand Stanley presented the update during the recent Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines’ (AAPA) Annual Assembly of Presidents in Bangkok, underscoring the region’s continued growth and importance in the global aviation market.

The Asia-Pacific forecast, which includes China and India, reflects the region’s continued fleet expansion, driven by rising passenger traffic. The region’s annual growth of 4.4% has outpaced the global average of 3.6%.

The region will continue to drive global demand for widebody types such as the A330neo and A350 Family, requiring around 3,500 aircraft. This represents 43% of global demand in the larger size categories. Meanwhile, the forecast anticipates the need for 16,100 single-aisle aircraft, such as the A220 and A320neo Family, to support the region’s short- to medium-haul routes.

Airbus estimates that nearly 68% of the aircraft deliveries will support fleet expansion, while 32% will replace older models, significantly contributing to decarbonisation efforts. The next generation of Airbus widebody aircraft offers an immediate 25% improvement in fuel efficiency and a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions.

The A350 has established itself as the leader for long-range operations out of the region, with some 315 A350s already in service in Asia and the Pacific. The aircraft operate from the region on some of the longest flights in the world, including nonstop service from Singapore to New York.

At the same time, the A330ceo replacement cycle is underway, with around 550 A330ceos currently operating in the region. The A330neo is positioned as the natural replacement, offering a seamless transition for airlines, with commonality in pilot training and technical operations between the two models.

(Source: Airbus)

SINGAPORE, 20 November 2025: The International Air Transport Association (IATA), together with the governments of Japan, Malaysia and leading industry stakeholders, issued a joint statement at the recent COP30, urging governments and the international community to reaffirm the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s leadership and accelerate coordinated climate action for aviation to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Specifically, the signatories highlight the need for global solutions, emphasising that ICAO remains the exclusive forum for addressing international aviation emissions. The signatories cautioned against fragmented or unilateral measures, stressing that only a unified approach could deliver effective climate results for the sector. 

The signatories also stress the role of robust global carbon markets in scaling up climate finance opportunities, which is high on the COP agenda and central to the Baku to Belem Roadmap.

“Aviation is a catalyst for global connectivity and economic development. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, governments must reaffirm ICAO’s role as the single global authority, fully implement CORSIA, and operationalise Article 6 to unlock climate finance for developing nations,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

“Fragmented taxes and levies will not cut emissions—they risk diverting funds from actual emission-reduction investments, which is a critical climate consideration, and will only weaken connectivity and harm those who depend on it most.” 

Key points from the joint statement

ICAO’s central role: The statement reaffirms ICAO’s authority, established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, as the sole body for regulating international aviation emissions. The signatories urge all States to uphold ICAO’s leadership and avoid duplicating mechanisms across international processes.

Strengthening CORSIA: The signatories call on all governments to strengthen implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), approved by all 193 ICAO Member States and a cornerstone for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In CORSIA’s First Phase (2024-26), airlines are expected to purchase upwards of 200 million credits, generating USD 4–5 billion in revenue. This will increase sharply over the coming years, as the scheme is expected to offset nearly 2 billion credits through 2035. This climate finance will directly support high-quality, independently verified emission-reduction projects — particularly in developing countries — significantly advancing the objectives of the Paris Agreement and promoting sustainable development, technology transfer, and job creation.

Urgent implementation of Article 6: The statement calls on all host countries to operationalise Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, issue Letters of Authorisation (LoAs), and enable the release of CORSIA-Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs). These steps are essential to mobilise international climate finance and support sustainable development.

Taxes and levies are not climate solutions: The signatories caution that taxes and levies, notably ticket taxes such as those proposed by emerging coalitions, are not effective climate instruments and risk negatively affecting investment in real emission-reduction projects. Such measures can impair connectivity and disproportionately harm developing economies and Small Island States.

(Source: IATA)