07 July, 2018

Nearly 37,400 new aircraft valued at US$5.8 trillion required over 20 years claims Airbus

Airbus thinks the world’s passenger fleet will more than double to 48,000 aircraft in 20 years with traffic growing at a rate of 4.4% per year, which the European plane maker says will mean airlines will need another 37,390 new passenger and freighter aircraft.

The Airbus Global Market Forecast 2018-2037 predicts emerging countries will account for over 60% of economic growth, with trips per capita to multiply 2.5 times for these nations. Combined with evolving airline business models and continuing liberalisation in the airline sector will lead to an increased resilience to regional slowdowns.


Of the 37,390 new aircraft required, 26,540 are for growth and 10,850 will replace older generation less fuel-efficient aircraft, says Airbus, who are lobbying British MP's in an effort to halt Brexit.  The forecast says the doubling of aircraft in the commercial fleets, will Therefore lead to the need for an additional 540,000 new pilots.

Greater aircraft range and capacity through technological developments allow airlines the flexibility to explore new business opportunities whilst maintaining focus on cost reduction. Airbus already leads in the Small (S) segment with the A320neo and in the Large (L) segment with the A350-900. In the Extra-Large (XL) segment, the market for replacement aircraft is just starting and provides opportunities for the very efficient A350-1000 combined with the A380.

Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer says, “Thanks to the versatility of our leading, most comprehensive family of aircraft, the top end of our single aisles, the A321neo, fly efficiently on long-haul routes and our widebodies like the A330neo equally serve regional operations. We’re extremely strong in this Medium market segment.”

And whilst the US under President Trump embark on what has been called the 'biggest trade war' in history with China, Airbus are signing deals and creating joint-ventures to collaborate on nanoscience within the aeronautical industry. 



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