Hyderabad, Jan. 28 -- India and South Asia's passenger air traffic will rise an average of 7% annually over the next 20 years, spurred by a growing middle class, economic growth and airport and connectivity investments, Boeing [NYSE: BA] said today.

That demand for air travel means airlines will need nearly 3,300 new airplanes by 2044 as projected in the company's Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for South Asia, an official statement read.

Single-aisle jets will account for nearly 90% of these projected deliveries as airlines look to boost network flexibility on fast-growing short- and medium-haul routes.

Accounting for growth and replacement, the Indian and South Asian region's fleet will grow from 795 to 2,925 airplanes in two decades...