SE Asia carriers adding over 300 jets until 2027

MANILA, Philippines — Southeast Asia, one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for leisure travel, will receive at least 310 aircraft until 2027 with locals spending more as their economies grow.

According to estimates from the Centre for Aviation (CAPA), Southeast Asia’s aviation industry is waiting for the delivery of as many as 1,728 aircraft, of which 1,678 are for commercial use.

The industry expects to receive 310 aircraft through 2027, with 121 arriving this year and 189 to be delivered in 2027, showing the region’s immediate requirement for more units.

In 2025, Airbus delivered 42 aircraft to Southeast Asian carriers, while Boeing reported 15. This is higher than their combined 38 deliveries in 2024, as the leading aircraft manufacturers pick up pace to clear their order backlog.

To date, a whopping 83 percent of Southeast Asia’s aircraft orders are for single-aisle jets, which are primarily used for short- and medium-range flights. CAPA said 12 percent are for widebody units, with the remainder accounted for by turboprop aircraft.

Boeing commercial marketing managing director for Asia and the Pacific David Schulte said the region has to add roughly 4,900 aircraft until 2044 for airlines to meet the travel demand.

Broken down, Schulte said 1,200 would replace retiring aircraft, while 3,700 would be solely for fleet growth.

Boeing estimates passenger demand in Southeast Asia to expand by an average of seven percent annually through 2044, making it the fastest-growing region along with South Asia.

Schulte rests his optimism on the five-percent growth of economies in Southeast Asia yearly, driving travel and tourism higher.