The November global fleet size currently counts 28,124 aircraft, of which 22,401 are active and 5,723 are grounded. We notice a slight increase in active aircraft and a slight decrease in grounded aircraft when compared to the last month. Comparing November 2021 with November 2020, we see a noticeable 15% rise in the active global fleet.

Asia and North America have kept their leading positions with the most active aircraft. Asia occupies first place with 7,591 aircraft, whereas North America counts 7,022. Europe comes in third with an active fleet of 5,412, followed by South America (865) and Africa (854). Just as the previous month, Oceania has the least numbers (657). All continents experienced growth in active aircraft compared to last month except for Europe, whose active fleet fell by almost 2%.

Hungary has overtaken The Netherlands for first place among the Top 10 countries with the most active aircraft (with more than 100 aircraft in its portfolio). At the moment, 128 of Hungary’s 134 aircraft are active. Following are The Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Japan, Austria, Ethiopia, the USA, Turkey, and Malta, with each country counting more than 86% of active fleet.

Top 10 countries with the highest percentage of active aircraft (with/more than 100 aircraft in their portfolio)

The country with the most grounded aircraft is Hong Kong, with just over half its fleet grounded. Nevertheless, the countries’ overall grounded aircraft numbers have decreased. Last month, Viet Nam and Hong Kong had 72% and 61% aircraft grounded, respectively, whereas now the highest percentage of grounded fleet is 55%. Nigeria, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa, and Singapore are also among the top ten countries with the most grounded aircraft.

Top 10 countries with the highest percentage of grounded aircraft (with/more than 100 aircraft in their portfolio)

Top 25 Airlines with the most active aircraft (with 100 or more aircraft in their fleet)

The airline with the most active aircraft is Malta Air, with 135 aircraft in their fleet and 100% currently active. Malta Air is followed by Spirit Airlines, Wizz Air, Envoy Air, Frontier Airlines, and Spring Airlines, each airline counting 97% or more active aircraft in their fleet. All top 25 airlines on the list have at least 88% of their aircraft active.

We have also analysed data regarding Lessors managing more than 50 aircraft. The top 25 Lessors with the highest percentage of active aircraft in their portfolio are listed below.

After analysing active/grounded aircraft by market group, we can see that Narrowbody Jets are still the most in-demand, with 71% active – the same number as last month. Regional and Widebody Jets are almost tied for second place, counting 63% and 62% active aircraft, respectively. Regional Turboprops continue to be the least used, with only 57% active.