Boeing Expects Demand For 7,200 New Aircraft In North America Through 2031

[News_Editor]

Boeing expects demand for 7,200 new aircraft in North America through 2031 < br />

2012-10-26 18:08:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

TORONTO, CANADA (BNO NEWS) -- The fleet in North America is expected to grow by nearly 2,200 aircraft to 8,800 airplanes over the next two decades, and aircraft manufacturers could sell more than 7,200 aircraft as less efficient planes are likely to be replaced with newer versions, Boeing said on Thursday.

The forecast shows single-aisle airplanes will account for the bulk of demand between 2011 and 2031. More than 900 new fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes were ordered in 2011, and Boeing expects air carriers will require a total of 5,000 new single-aisle aircraft during the full period. Taking retirements of airplanes into account, this would raise the single-aisle fleet in North America from 3,730 last year to 6,090 in 2031.

"The North American commercial aviation market is about to record a third consecutive year of profit, with modest passenger traffic growth," said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The long-term outlook for the North American airline industry is approximately 3 percent annual traffic growth through the forecast period."

Tinseth said the North American market, projected to be worth some $820 billion during this period, is shaped by aggressive growth of low-cost carriers and the need to replace aging airplanes in the fleets of established network carriers. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines have all recently announced plans to replace some of their older aircraft with more fuel-efficient airplanes.

But the market for twin-aisle aircraft is also likely to see a significant expansion over the next two decades. Boeing expects the twin-aisle fleet in North America to expand from 1,030 twin-aisle aircraft last year to an estimated 1,740 twin-aisle aircraft in service by North American air carriers in 2031. This would give potential for aircraft manufacturers to sell up to 1,320 new aircraft.

Driven by anticipated passenger traffic to Southwest Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa and South America, long-haul international traffic to and from North America is forecast to grow at an annual rate of approximately 5 percent. Passenger traffic between North America and those regions is forecast grow at or above 6 percent per year.

Large airplanes such as the Boeing 747, however, are unlikely to see significant demand in North America over the next two decades. Boeing expects the fleet of large aircraft in North America will drop from 120 in 2011 to 110 in 2031. Taking the retirements of airplanes into account, the need for large aircraft in the region is unlikely to be more than 40 new planes.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-10-26

[Chicog]

They'd best get their arse in gear and get a replacement for the B737 then.

[Tywais]

They'd best get their arse in gear and get a replacement for the B737 then.

Why, perfectly good design? They are now planning on doing what the airlines want.

Boeing Opts To Upgrade 737

Boeing will not build an all new replacement for the world’s most popular airliner. Instead, the plane maker has decided to upgrade the ubiquitous 737 with new engines and a few other items to increase efficiency and extend the life of the 40-plus year old design.

The decision to ‘re-engine’ the 737 instead of coming up with a clean sheet design was made after airlines made it clear they want fuel savings now rather than later. With the recent history of the all new 787 Dreamliner, there were fears in the industry that a new design could take more than a decade. Boeing promises to deliver the 737 MAX as it is being called by 2017.

Rival Airbus has made a similar decision with its popular single aisle airliner, the A320. The European company will re-engine the airplane and deliver it as the A320neo in 2015.

Boeing says the 737 MAX family of airplanes – there are three sizes – will be 10 to 12 percent more fuel efficient than the current lineup of 737s. And it says it will be four percent more fuel efficient than the A320neo.

First introduced into service in 1968, the 737 is the most popular jet airliner in the world. More than 6,800 have been delivered and the company has a backlog of more than 2,000.

Source - wired.com

[Chicog]

Instead, the plane maker has decided to upgrade the ubiquitous 737 with new engines and a few other items to increase efficiency and extend the life of the 40-plus year old design.

And there's the rub.