Boeing Expects A ‘Wave of Replacement Demand’ For New Aircraft

This will be driven largely by the growth of low-cost carriers and emerging markets, Boeing said on the first day of Britain’s Farnborough Airshow.

The company said 28,140 new single-aisle airplanes such as its Boeing 737 and rival Airbus’ A320 will be delivered in the 20 years to 2035, up 5 percent from its forecast last year.

Airlines will need 9,100 widebody planes such as Boeing’s 787 and 777 models, with the company saying a wave of replacement demand will come in the 2021-2028 time-frame.

Large widebody planes like its four-engined 747-8 and Airbus’ A380 will account for only 530 deliveries, said Boeing.

Analysts have predicted a slowdown in aircraft purchases after Boeing and Airbus booked a record numbers of orders over the last few years.

Falling oil prices also mean airlines are likely to keep older less fuel-efficient planes in their fleets for longer than before, given the lower operating costs.

Boeing, however, predicts passenger traffic will grow by 4.8 percent over the next two decades and that will help to double the global commercial aircraft fleets in that time.

“Despite recent events that have impacted the financial markets, the aviation sector will continue to see long-term growth with the commercial fleet doubling in size,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in a statement.

There will be 15,130 deliveries to Asia, the largest geographic segment, said Boeing.

Low-cost carriers and full-service airlines have been adding planes and increasing services to cater for demand from a rising middle class in Asia eager for both leisure and business travel.

North America will account for 8,330 new deliveries and Europe 7,570 new aircraft, said Boeing.

Boeing also forecast demand for 930 new freighters and 1,440 converted freighters on the back of a projected 4.2 percent annual growth in cargo traffic.