In its
2022 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for China,
Boeing is forecasting that the country’s growing economy will see its commercial aeroplane fleet more than double over the next 20 years, adding that despite the impact of the pandemic on China’s near-term growth, the demand for air travel and air freight will continue to ‘trend upwards’ through to 2041, with the country’s commercial fleet growing from around 3,900 aeroplanes to more than 9,600.
The CMO says China will require 8,485 new aeroplanes valued at $1.5 trillion to serve passengers and trade — more than a fifth of global aeroplane deliveries over the next two decades, as Chinese carriers look to replace older planes with more fuel-efficient models such as the Boeing 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner and 777X. The CMO also says there will be continued growth in the freighter market, with China’s freighter fleet more than quadrupling in size to more than 800 aeroplanes by 2041.
Peter Gao, Boeing’s vice president, commercial sales and marketing (Greater China), said: “We have full confidence that China’s commercial aviation market will continue to prosper, despite recent economic headwinds, as Boeing celebrates its 50th anniversary in the country. China’s economic fundamentals will continue to fuel the significant demand for both its passenger and cargo fleets.”
The 2022 China CMO includes the projections that through to 2041: passenger traffic is expected to grow at 4.9% annually; 1,570 widebody aeroplanes and 6,370 single-aisle aeroplanes will be needed to support a growing network of international and domestic routes; demand for commercial services to support the rapid and healthy growth of the fleet will be worth $545 billion; the freighter segment will see 205 deliveries to meet the requirements of continued e-commerce growth and a strong industrial supply chain; and that the country will also require 412,000 new aviation personnel, including 126,000 pilots, 124,000 technicians and 162,000 cabin crew members in the next 20 years.
The complete CMO forecast is available at the website (
www.boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook).
Meanwhile, Boeing and
Alaska Airlines have announced that the carrier is expanding its 737 MAX fleet with an order for 52 aeroplanes, exercising options for an additional 42 737-10 and 10 737-9 jets.
Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines’ CEO, said: “This investment secures aircraft to optimise our growth through the next decade, which we know will be a formidable competitive advantage. We are proud of the strong financial foundation that uniquely positions Alaska to make this commitment to our future, and of the fantastic partnership we share with our hometown aircraft manufacturer Boeing.”
The aeroplanes will be built at Boeing’s Renton factory near Alaska’s headquarters in Washington state.