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Boeing, China’s leading provider of commercial airplanes, has projected a demand in the country for 6,330 new airplanes over the next 20 years.
Boeing released its annual China Current Market Outlook in Beijing, estimating the total value of those new airplanes at $950 billion.
“Despite the current volatility in China’s financial market, we see strong growth in the country’s aviation sector over the long term,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“Over the next 20 years, China’s commercial airplane fleet will nearly triple: from 2,570 airplanes in 2014 to 7,210 airplanes in 2034, with more than 70 per cent of these deliveries accommodating growth.”
As China becomes the world’s largest domestic air travel market, Boeing is forecasting demand for 4,630 single-aisle airplanes through 2034.
This sector is driven by growth in new carriers and low-cost airlines in developing and emerging markets, as well as continuous expansion in established airlines.
In fact, the efficiency and flexibility of single-aisle aircraft like the 737 helps Chinese carriers connect and stimulate growth along the Economic Belt as part of the One Belt, One Road Strategy.
Tinseth said the Next-Generation 737-800 and new 737 MAX 8 – Boeing products at the heart of the single-aisle market – offer airlines the best fuel efficiency, reliability and capability.
“China’s aviation market is incredibly dynamic, from its leading airlines to its start-ups and low-cost carriers,” said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of sales and marketing for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“Boeing is committed to serve customers in the world’s largest airplane market by providing the most fuel-efficient airplanes and services to support their growth and profitability.”
Boeing forecasts that the wide-body segment will require 1,510 new airplanes, led by small and medium wide-body airplanes such as the 777-300ER (Extended Range), 777X and the 787 Dreamliner.
Tinseth stressed that Chinese airlines have more than doubled their long-haul international capacity over the past three years, in large part following the delivery of 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes to Air China and 777-300ERs and 787s to several leading Chinese carriers.
“Enabled by China’s growing middle-class population, new visa policies and the underlying strength of its economic growth, this expansion is expected to continue, and in fact accelerate,” Tinseth said.
“The 777, 787 and 747-8 are perfectly positioned to support Chinese airlines’ continued globalisation.”
