Airlines to order nearly 30,000 new planes in next 20 years: Boeing

US aerospace giant Boeing Co forecast on Wednesday that airlines world-wide would take delivery of nearly 30,000 new planes in the next two decades amid surging demand for air travel.
Boeing, unveiling the US group's annual report in London, forecast that the world-wide aviation sector would deliver 28,600 commercial aircraft over the next 20 years worth a total 2.800 trillion dollars (2.107 trillion euros).
"Air travel is going to continue to grow, driven by economic growth, world trade liberalisation and by the availability of new, more capable and more efficient airplanes," said Boeing's vice-president for commercial airplanes, Randy Tinseth, as he delivered the report to journalists.
The Asia-Pacific region would account for a 36-percent stake of the 2.8-trillion-dollar market, North America would have 26 percent, while Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States would represent one quarter.
The projected deliveries would take the world's total commercial airplanes fleet to 36,400 jets by 2026, according to Boeing. The upbeat forecast of demand for the next two decades came ahead of the opening of the Paris Air Show next week.
The week-long Paris event, one of the world's biggest aviation shows, is expected to feature more frenetic deal-making for Boeing and European rival Airbus when it kicks off on Monday.
European jet maker Airbus admitted last week that it was lagging Boeing in orders so far this year. Airbus is owned by Franco-German aerospace firm EADS. Boeing said demand for new aircraft over the next 20 years would be led by low-cost carriers seeking more environmentally friendly planes, while looking towards expansion into the United States market, Boeing added.
"This growth will occur in an environmentally responsible and accountable manner that addresses greenhouse gas reduction efforts with progressive new aircraft and increased operational efficiencies," Tinseth said. He noted that the greatest demand would continue to be for single-aisle commercial planes for use on shorthaul routes between 2007 and 2026.
"This is partially driven by continued high growth in low-cost carriers," he added. No-frills airlines in Europe are seeking to expand into the US market after EU transport ministers gave clearance for plans to free up the transatlantic aviation market under a long-sought "open skies" accord. Last month, low-cost Irish carrier Ryanair gave a boost to Boeing by ordering 27 Boeing 737-800 jets worth 1.9 billion dollars (1.4 billion euros, 962 million pounds) at list prices.
Airbus had revealed last week that it had received 201 orders in the first five months of the year, a performance that leaves it well behind the 407 recorded by Boeing. The European group is struggling to overcome major delays in its A380 superjumbo programme, and is about to undergo a sweeping overhaul that will see the loss of 10,000 jobs in France, Germany, Britain and Spain.