The demand for commercial aircraft in the Asia Pacific region is expected to reach 4,000 between now and 2020, including more than 2,100 wide-bodied planes, a top European aviation official said Monday.
Philippe Camus, co-chairman of the European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company (EADS), gave out the figures at a news conference on the eve of the 2004 Asian Aerospace which kicks off here Tuesday.
"The demand for widebody airlines in the Asia-Pacific between now and 2020 is estimated at over 2,100," said Camus, who is also chairman of the French Aerospace Industry Association, GIFAS.
Including smaller commercial planes, the figure could go as high as 4,000 aircraft.
GIFAS is strongly represented at the Asian Aerospace event with 30 companies.
The French Air Force will be participating in daily flying displays to showcase its Mirage 2000 RDIs and the Rafale multi-role fighter.
The Rafale is among three warplanes shortlisted by Singapore to replace its current plans in a deal for 20 jets expected to be worth more than one billion US dollars. The two others on the shortlist are Boeing's F-15E Strike Eagle and Eurofighter's Typhoon.
Camus did not give a market value for the 4,000 commercial aircraft.
However, the cheapest plane in the stable of European aircraft maker Airbus is around 45 million US dollars, while the most expensive has a catalogue price of 286 million dollars.
He said more than 570 Airbus airliners are in service with 40 Asia Pacific carriers, including 48 delivered last year.
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