Aerospace

Boeing Forecasts Air Cargo Traffic to Increase Twofold Over Next 20 Years

Boeing anticipates significant demand for air cargo services until 2041, with traffic doubling and the global fleet of freighters increasing by more than 60%. Boeing published information from its 2022 World Air Cargo Forecast (WACF), a biannual in-depth analysis of evolving market dynamics.

Boeing Forecasts Demand for More than 41,000 New Airplanes by 2041(Opens in a new browser tab)

The world’s cargo fleet would need close to 2,800 newly produced and converted freighters for expansion and replacement by the year 2041, according to the 2022 WACF. In order to satisfy demand, operators will need to move to more capable, fuel-efficient, and sustainable jets like the 777-8 Freighter, according to the Boeing prediction, since cargo volume is expected to double during the projected period.

New production freighters will make up one-third of deliveries, while the remaining two-thirds will be freighter conversions, like the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), giving carriers more flexibility in both mature and developing markets.

Boeing Delivers on 100th 737-800 BCF Order to AerCap(Opens in a new browser tab)

The 2022 WACF also provides these insights about the cargo market through 2041:

The Asia-Pacific region will take delivery of nearly 40% of all freighters, including new and converted freighters.
While dedicated freighters are 8% of the total commercial airplane fleet, they continue to carry more than half of all air cargo, with passenger airplanes carrying the remainder as belly cargo.
The global freighter fleet will grow by more than 1,300 airplanes to more than 3,600 jets over the next two decades.

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.