The impact of the global economic downturn continues to be felt by the aviation industry, as new figures reveal that a record total of almost 2,300 jet airliners are now parked. 1,167 aircraft were grounded last year, making 2008 the worst year for cutbacks since 2001.
According to data from Ascend, a leading provider of information and consultancy to the global aerospace industry, more than 11% of the global aircraft fleet of 20,293 is now in storage. Taking into account future decommissioning, that figure may even rise to match the 13% reached at the end of 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US. Then, the global fleet comprised only 15,950 planes, so a similar share in 2009 could mean a total of some 3,000 idle airliners.
Chris Seymour, Head of Market Analysis at Ascend, says,
