Aviation outlook: Airbus says Asia Pacific to need 19,560 new planes; India-China to drive half of global demand
Presenting its long-term market forecast at the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Annual Assembly in Bangkok, Airbus said the region will account for 46 per cent of global demand, with worldwide requirements estimated at 42,520 new aircraft over 20 years.“India and China are driving a major portion of the growth,” said Anand Stanley, President, Airbus Asia Pacific, quoted PTI.
The region is expected to see annual passenger traffic grow at 4.4 per cent, well above the global average of 3.6 per cent.India, one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, has seen airlines place large aircraft orders as they scale up fleets to meet swelling domestic and international travel.According to Airbus, Asia Pacific carriers will require around 3,500 wide-body aircraft, representing 43 per cent of global demand in larger jets, and nearly 16,100 single-aisle planes, or 47 per cent of worldwide narrow-body deliveries.Airbus said 68 per cent of these deliveries will support fleet expansion, while 32 per cent will replace older, less fuel-efficient aircraft.
“The next generation of Airbus wide-body aircraft offers an immediate 25 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions,” the company added.Stanley said the region is entering an “exciting phase of growth,” driven by expanding route networks, rising penetration of low-cost carriers and ongoing aviation infrastructure development.
