Flight International online news 09:00GMT: Boeing is forecasting demand in China for more than 2,600 new aircraft over the next 20 years.
The airframe manufacturer says in its latest forecast the bulk of the anticipated sales will be in the single-aisle Boeing 737-size category.
It sees a need for 1,678 aircraft of this size over the forecast period followed by sales of 568 aircraft in the intermediate twin-aisle category, which includes aircraft such as the 787 and 777.
Regional jet demand is expected to result in sales of 293 aircraft, it says, while at the other end of the market - aircraft seating more than 400 passengers – it sees demand at just 73 units.
Overall it says the more than 2,600 new aircraft that it believes will be required will be worth $213 billion.
Boeing’s forecast is very different from that of Airbus, which earlier this year said it expects 200 sales in the very large category of aircraft, including those for use on domestic routes, through 2023.
Airbus also forecast sales of 280 aircraft in the 350-400-seat category during its forecast period, 440 in the 250-300-seat category and 870 in the single-aisle category seating more than 100 passengers.
Boeing predicts Chinese domestic traffic growing at an average annual rate of 8.8% while it says traffic coming in and out of the country will rise 7.3% annually.
NICHOLAS IONIDES/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
