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Narrowbodies To Dominate Aircraft Paint Market Through 2034
Global narrowbody paint demand is expected to exceed $3.4 billion by the end of 2034.
The Aviation Week Network’s 2025 Commercial Aviation Fleet & MRO Forecast projects that global commercial widebody and narrowbody paint demand will surpass $5.7 billion by the end of 2034. Narrowbody aircraft are expected to account for the majority—60% of demand—and widebodies to account for the remaining 40%. Not included in these numbers is paint demand for regional or turboprop-powered aircraft.
The 2025 edition of the forecast projects how the world’s aircraft fleet and aftermarket will evolve over the next 10 years. The commercial widebody and narrowbody aircraft fleets combined are expected to grow to more than 38,900 in 2034 from just over 26,500 aircraft in 2025. This fleet expansion will translate directly to an increase in paint demand during the same period.
The difference between narrowbody and widebody expenses for the painting process also must be considered. While widebody aircraft are forecast to comprise just over 20% of the fleet in 2034, paint expenses for these aircraft are projected to account for 40% of the demand through the same period.
Narrowbodies are expected to account for seven of the top 10 aircraft models for paint demand throughout the forecast period. The forecast projects that the highest paint demand will be for the Boeing 737-800, followed by the Airbus A320, A320neo, A321neo, Boeing 737-8, 787-9, Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER.
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