The overall global fleet size currently counts 28,488 aircraft, of which 22,354 are active, and 6,134 are grounded. Following a long period of growth, we may see a decrease in numbers, with 9% more grounded aircraft than the previous month. We might also see a 2% decrease in the active global fleet. Nonetheless, compared to April 2021, the active aircraft fleet increased by 13% and by 25% compared to April 2020.

global fleet size April 2022

Continentactivegroundedtotal
Africa8943981292
Asia697830119989
Europe550112606761
North America729411128416
Oceania744107851
South America9432361179
Total22354613428488

Oceania and North America continue to be the continents with the most active aircraft, each having 87% of their fleets active. Europe comes in third with 81%, followed by South America (80%) and Asia (70%). In April, Africa had the lowest percentage of active aircraft, 69%.

Oceania Fleet Size April 2022

North America Fleet Size April 2022

Europe Fleet Size April 2022

Asia Fleet Size April 2022

south America Fleet Size April 2022

Africa Fleet Size April 2022

After analysing active/grounded aircraft by market group, we observed that Narrowbody Jets are the most in use now, with 69% of tracked aircraft currently active. Widebody jets are likewise in higher demand, while Regional jets and turboprops are the least, with 37% still grounded.

Active/grounded aircraft by market group April 2022

Ireland heads the list of countries with the highest percentage of active aircraft (with/ more than 100 aircraft in its portfolio) with 353 out of 364 aircraft currently active. Austria, the Netherlands, Japan, Hungary, Poland, Chile, Australia, the UK, and Turkey are next, accounting for more than 88% of the active fleet.

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

countryactivegroundedtotal% active
Ireland3531136496.98%
Austria2101322394.17%
Netherlands (the)2071322094.09%
Japan5764462092.90%
Hungary1291013992.81%
Poland1541316792.22%
Chile1211113291.67%
Australia5466661289.22%
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)6648174589.13%
Turkey4826454688.28%

Ukraine and Hong Kong are at the top of the list of countries with the most aircraft grounded in April 2022 due to the war and lockdown crisis. Ukraine currently has 92 of 101 aircraft grounded, while Hong Kong has 162 out of 245 aircraft grounded. Nigeria, Iran, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, Thailand, and Egypt follow.

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

countryactivegroundedtotal% grounded
Ukraine99210191.09%
Hong Kong8316224566.12%
Nigeria566011651.72%
Iran (Islamic Republic of)13612025646.88%
China23911527391838.97%
Malaysia1509524538.78%
Indonesia34520354837.04%
Russian Federation (the)636369100536.72%
Thailand1768526132.57%
Egypt833712030.83%

Malta Air continues to head the Top 25 airlines worldwide with the most active aircraft (with 100 or more aircraft in their fleet), with 100% of their fleet active. Ryanair is next, with only one aircraft grounded. The list continues with EasyJet Europe, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Volaris, PSA Airlines, Azul, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Republic Airways and Envoy Air, all counting 95% or more active aircraft in their respective fleets. All of the top 25 airlines have at least 89% of their aircraft active.

Top 25 airlines_April 2022

The Top 25 Lessors list is led by International Airfinance, with 93% of their fleet active. The top five also includes: FPG Amentum, ALM-Aircraft Leasing & Management, TrueNoord,  and Jackson Square Aviation.

Top 25 Lessors_April 2022

The previous update on the active and grounded fleet is available here.

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