Dhaka, June 15 -- world's largest aircraft manufacturer Boeing projects that the global commercial aviation fleet will nearly double to around 49,600 aircraft by 2044, with most of that growth driven by new production over the next 20 years.

The updated forecast, released yesterday, falls slightly below last year's projection and comes ahead of the Paris Air Show, which opens tomorrow.

Emerging markets "with expanding middle classes, dynamic and competitive airline networks and sustained aviation investment" will represent more than 50 per cent of the commercial fleet in 2044, up from nearly 40 per cent in 2024, Boeing said.

But the forecast also shows the effects of supply chain difficulties in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The...