Boeing raises forecast for new airplane demand in China

Boeing has projected a demand for 7,240 new airplanes in China over the next 20 years valued at nearly US$1.1 trillion. Boeing’s annual China Current Market Outlook (CMO) was released on September 6, in Beijing, with total airplane demand rising 6.3% over last year’s forecast. “China’s continuous economic growth, significant investment in infrastructure, growing middle-class and evolving airline business models support this long-term outlook,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “China’s fleet size is expected to grow at a pace well above the world average, and almost 20% of global new airplane demand will be from airlines based in China.” Single-aisle airplanes continue to be the foundation of domestic and regional fleets in China. Boeing sees the need for 5,420 new single-aisle airplanes through 2036, accounting for 75% of the total new deliveries. Full-service airlines and low-cost carriers have been adding new single-aisle airplanes and expanding new point-to-point services to cater for both leisure and business travel demand in China and throughout Asia. Tinseth said the backlog from Chinese customers demonstrates that the new 737 MAX 8 remains at the heart of the single-aisle market. Boeing forecasts the widebody fleet over the next 20 years will require 1,670 new airplanes. Airlines continue to shift to small and medium widebody airplanes for long-haul expansion and flexibility. Primary demand for very large widebodies going forward will be in the freighter market. Worldwide, Boeing projects the need for 41,030 new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years valued at US$6.1 trillion.