BOEING, China's leading provider of
commercial aircraft, projected a demand in the country for 6,330 new planes over the next 20
years, declared the big American planemaker.
Boeing has
released its annual China Current Market Outlook (CMO) in Beijing, estimating the
total value of those new aircraft at US$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," he said.
"China's
aviation market is incredibly dynamic, from its leading airlines to its
startups 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," he said.
As China
becomes the world's largest domestic air travel market, Boeing is forecasting
demand for 4,630 single-aisle aircraft 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.
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, said the Boeing statement.
Mr Tinseth
said the Next-Generation 737-800 and new 737 MAX 8 ¡V Boeing products at the
heart of the single-aisle market - offer airlines the best fuel efficiency,
reliability and capability.
China's
low-cost carriers are currently responsible for about eight per cent of
single-aisle market demand, rising to 25-30 per cent of demand by 2034, he
noted.
"The 737
MAX 200 will have the lowest fuel costs ¡V 20 per cent per seat - versus
today's most efficient single-aisle airplanes," Mr Tinseth said.
"737 MAX
fuel efficiency and the 737's position as the industry's most reliable airplane
offer Chinese low-cost carriers competitive advantages as they grow new
business," he said.
Boeing
forecasts that the widebody segment will require 1,510 new aircraft, led by
small and medium widebody planes such as the 777-300ER (Extended Range), 777X
and the 787 Dreamliner.
Mr Tinseth
said 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 aircraft 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," Mr Tinseth said. "The 777, 787 and
747-8 are perfectly positioned to support Chinese airlines' continued
globalisation."
Source :
HKSG.
