Boeing Co. forecast on June 13 that airlines worldwide would take delivery of nearly 30,000 new jets in the next two decades amid surging demand for air travel. The company's annual report forecast that the worldwide aviation sector would deliver 28,600 commercial aircraft over the next 20 years worth a total $2.800 trillion. The bullish outlook came despite growing concern about the impact of airline pollution and EU plans to impose carbon dioxide emissions quotas on the industry from 2011.
"Air travel is going to continue to grow, driven by economic growth, world trade liberalization and by the availability of new, more capable and more efficient airplanes," said Boeing's vice-president for commercial airplanes, Randy Tinseth. Demand over the next 20 years would be led by low-cost carriers seeking more environmentally friendly planes, while looking towards expansion into the United States market, Boeing added. "This growth will occur in an environmentally responsible and accountable manner that addresses greenhouse gas reduction efforts with progressive new aircraft and increased operational efficiencies," Tinseth said.
The Asia-Pacific region would account for a 36% stake of the $2.8 trillion, North America would have 26%, while Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States would represent 25%.
The projected deliveries would take the world's total commercial airplanes fleet to 36,400 jets by 2026, according to Boeing.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2007
