Aircraft maker Boeing now expects that China will require 5,000 new commercial airplanes worth about $600bn by 2030, after adjusting its previous outlook.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of marketing, Randy Tinseth, said: “Sustained strong economic growth, growing trade activities, increasing personal wealth and income, as well as continued market liberalization will be the driving forces in shaping China’s air travel market.
“We expect China will be the second largest country taking new commercial airplane deliveries due to its air travel demand growing at an annual rate of 7.6 per cent on average.”
Boeing forecasts that small and intermediate twin-aisles, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777, will be a significant part of these deliveries. They are expected to constitute over 40 percent of the market in value, with some 1,040 deliveries anticipated.
Major Chinese airlines, taking advantage of their membership in the major airline alliances, will gradually shift their focus from domestic to international markets to become competitive global players, Tinseth pointed out.
As a result of the boost for China’s inbound tourism, the single-aisle market will also remain strong, with total deliveries reaching 3,550. Tinseth said the new 737 MAX family will allow Boeing to continue to deliver the most fuel-efficient, most capable airplane with the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle market segment.
With China’s cargo markets leading the global industry, Chinese air carriers will add about 400 freighter airplanes by 2030. Tinseth said the majority of the demand will be for large, long-range freighters such as the 747-8F and 777F, given that most traffic growth is projected to occur on long-haul traffic lanes tied to China.
Worldwide, Boeing projects investments of $4 trillion for 33,500 new commercial airplanes to be delivered during the next 20 years.
Directly and through subsidiaries and joint ventures, Boeing China employs 6,000 workers.
It is the single largest purchaser of made-in-China aviation parts, committing hundreds of millions of dollars to dozens of suppliers.
More than 50% of all the commercial jetliners operating in China are Boeing airplanes. Today, some 6,000 Boeing airplanes fly throughout the world with integrated China-built parts and assemblies.
China has a component role on every current Boeing commercial airplane model – the 737, 747, 767, 777, as well as the the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
