This article is published in Air Transport World part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through May 15, 2026. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
Global commercial aircraft deliveries reached just over 430 units during the November 2025 to January 2026 period, a 14% increase versus the same period in 2024-25. During the same three months, Airbus delivered 226 aircraft, while Boeing shipped just under 150. In January alone, Airbus’ deliveries of 19 commercial aircraft were six units fewer than in January 2025, while Boeing’s 45 shipments equaled its January 2025 performance.
In January 2026, Airbus secured firm orders for 49 aircraft, while Boeing recorded a total of 107 new orders. The total exceeded January 2025 because of a significant year-over-year order intake increase by Boeing.
Boeing’s January orders were bolstered by a major commitment from Aviation Capital Group for 50 737 MAXs. Delta Air Lines placed an order for 30 787-10s as part of its widebody fleet modernization. Air India ordered 20 737 MAXs, while EVA Air ordered four more 787-9s. European leisure airline TUI ordered a single 737 MAX, while two additional MAXs were purchased by unidentified customers.
Chinese LCC Spring Airlines led Airbus’ orderbook with a purchase of 24 A320neos and six A321neos. International Airlines Group (IAG) followed with an order for eight A320neos and two A321neos. Additionally, Air Algérie placed an order for a single A330-900. Eight A321neos were also ordered by undisclosed customers.
Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) data for Q4 2025 show a positive year-over-year change for flights departing from all regions. According to Aviation Week consultancy ASM, the global annual RPK total was 4% higher than the previous year, with Africa showing the highest increase at +7%. Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) data for Q4, as well as the annual totals, also indicate a positive change for all regions.
Data from AWIN’s Tracked Aircraft Utilization show that flown hours for operators across all world regions during the period from November 2025 to January 2026 surpassed totals for the same period in 2024-25, as well as for between November 2019 and January 2020 (before the pandemic).
Middle East-based airlines recorded the highest utilization increase compared to the same months in 2024-25, with a growth of 6%. When compared to the three-month period in 2019-20, African carriers stand out with a remarkable growth of 37%. When indexed to July 2019, the data reveals historical fluctuations, with all regions—except North America and Europe—exceeding that high benchmark.
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