The US aircraft manufacturer Boeing expects that significantly more cargo aircraft will be required in the next 20 years. The manufacturer would only benefit to a small extent, however, as it is forecast that the vast majority of demand can be met by converting decommissioned passenger aircraft.

Boeing estimates that 2.430 additional cargo planes will be needed. The global fleet would grow by 60 percent. However, the forecast is that only 930 new freighters will be built. The rest will - as mentioned - be created by converting former passenger planes.