IATA anticipates that severe supply chain issues will continue to affect airline performance into 2025, leading to increased costs and limited growth opportunities within the industry.
At the Global Media Day in Geneva, it was revealed that the aging global fleet, now averaging 14.8 years, coupled with a significant decline in aircraft deliveries—estimated at only 1,254 for 2024—exacerbates the challenges airlines face in expanding their services.
A record backlog of 17,000 unfulfilled aircraft orders highlights the delays in aircraft production, while the number of parked aircraft remains high, impacting overall efficiency and escalating maintenance costs.
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, emphasizes that unresolved supply chain issues hinder airlines’ progress towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as they face rising leasing rates and stagnated fuel efficiency improvements.
