DUBAI, Jan 26, 2026 (GDM) – The global airline industry is entering a new growth phase, driven by massive aircraft orders and surging passenger demand in the United Arab Emirates, India and Saudi Arabia, according to industry forecasts Monday.
Airlines are expected to earn about $41 billion in 2026, marking a fourth straight year of profitability, aviation lessor Avolon said in a report.
“The industry is effectively sold out for the rest of the decade in key aircraft categories,” said Rob Morris, global head of consultancy Cirium Ascend. “That’s pushing airlines to compete for delivery slots and driving lease rates higher.”
The three nations together hold aircraft orders exceeding 3,000 planes — more than double their combined active fleets — with roughly 900 deliveries scheduled over the next three years, Avolon data showed.
India, now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, leads with record orders topping 1,300 jets, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Dubai International Airport handled close to 90 million passengers in 2024, retaining its position as the world’s busiest for international travel, while Saudi Arabia aims to triple annual passenger numbers to 330 million by 2030.
“India, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as the next engines of growth,” said Jim Morrison, chief risk officer at Avolon.
With order backlogs at Airbus and Boeing extending beyond 11 years, airlines are increasingly turning to aircraft lessors to secure capacity, with lessors expected to finance nearly half of all deliveries this year, the report added.
