Boeing predicts 30,900 orders until 2029

US AIRCRAFT manufacturer the Boeing Company predicts airlines will order 30,900 new commercial aircraft valued at US$3.6 trillion by 2029, according to its latest market outlook.

"The world market is doing much better than last year but there are still challenges," Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, was quoted as saying in a report by Georgia's AirCargo World.

"Looking at 2010, we see a world economy that continues to recover. We expect the world economy to grow above the long-term trend this year. As a result, both passenger and cargo travel will grow this year. Airline revenue and yields are up, but fuel prices remain volatile."

The report said that Boeing forecasts global cargo traffic will grow at an annual average rate of 5.9 per cent until 2029.

Boeing expects the world's freighter fleet to increase from 1,750 to 2,980 aircraft over the next two decades, and includes 740 new-production freighters (worth $180 billion at today's book prices) and 1,750 aircraft converted from passenger models.

Large freighters with over 80 tonnes capacity will account for 520 new planes. Demand for medium-sized freighters with a 40-80 tonnes payload will total 210. Virtually all standard-body freighters, with less than 45 tonnes capacity, are expected to come from converted passenger jets, Boeing said.

Boeing also anticipates Asia Pacific airlines will be the largest purchaser of twin-aisle aircraft, accounting for about 40 per cent of total demand over the forecast period.

Jakarta-based Lion Air was the launch customer of the 737-900ER and is currently the largest operator of the airplane with 36. The carrier operates within Indonesia as well as to Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.
(Source:www.schednet.com)