Asian aircraft fleet to triple in size – Boeing
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The number of aircraft operating in the Asia Pacific region is set to triple in the next 20 years, according to Boeing.
In its latest forecast, released ahead of the Singapore Airshow, the US planemaker revealed that Asia Pacific-based airlines are expected to purchase 12,820 more aircraft between now and 2032, valued at US$1.9 trillion. This accounts for more than a third (36%) of total global aircraft orders over the 20-year period.
“Asia Pacific economies and passenger traffic continue to exhibit strong growth,” said Boeing’s vice president of marketing, Randy Tinseth, during a media briefing before the opening of the Singapore Airshow.
“Over the next 20 years, nearly half of the world’s air traffic growth will be driven by travel to, from or within the region. The Asia Pacific fleet will nearly triple, from 5,090 airplanes in 2012 to 14,750 airplanes in 2032, to support the increased demand,” he added.
According to Boeing, single-aisle aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 – including the new fuel-efficient versions, the B737 MAX and A320neo – will drive Asian demand. These narrow-body aircraft, which are popular with Asian budget airlines, are expected to account for 69% of total new orders, or 8,810 aircraft.
“New low-cost carriers and demand for intra-Asia travel have fuelled the substantial increase in single-aisle airplanes,” said Tinseth. “Fuel-efficient airplanes… help the growing number of low-cost carriers operate more efficiently and provide affordable fares to the emerging middle class.”
Standard twin-aisle aircraft, such as the B777, B787 Dreamliner, A330 and A350, are expected to account for 26% of new aircraft deliveries, or 3,330 aircraft, while very-large wide-body jets like the A380 are expected to account for 2%, or 260 aircraft. The remaining 3% of demand, or 420 aircraft, is expected to be for smaller regional jets.
Boeing has recently increased its production rates on the B737, B777 and B787 programmes to cater for rising demand from airlines.
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