Boeing has increased its forecast for the global aircraft market over the next 20 years by 8%, and now expects demand for 33,500 passenger planes and freighters.
The US aircraft manufacturer predicted a US$4 trillion market between 2011 and 2030, following its forecast of a year ago for 30,900 new commercial aircraft worth $3.6 trillion.
Boeing’s 2011 Current Market Outlook, its annual commercial aviation market analysis, predicts a 3.3% average annual growth of world gross domestic product during the period, a 4.2% increase in the number of airline passengers, a 5.1% increase in airline traffic and a 5.6% average rise in cargo traffic every year.
“The world market has recovered, and is now expanding at a significant rate,” said Randy Tinseth, VP of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“Not only is there a strong demand for air travel and new airplanes today, but the fundamental drivers of air travel – including economic growth, world trade and liberalisation – all point to a healthy long-term demand.”
Boeing projects the world freighter fleet will increase from 1,760 to 3,500. Additions will include 970 new-production freighters, with a market value of $250 billion, and 1,990 converted from passenger models.
Larger freighters (of more than 80 tonnes in capacity) will account for 690 newbuilds, predicts Boeing, and 280 medium-sized models of 40-80 tonne capacity.
“No new standard-body freighters (less than 45 tonnes) will be required, but there will be 1,240 standard-body conversions. On average over the next 20 years, air cargo traffic will grow at a rate of 5.6%,” it said.
Meanwhile, Boeing is to fly a new 747-8 freighter (pictured above) across the Atlantic to the forthcoming Paris Air Show, using a renewable aviation jet fuel – the world’s first transatlantic crossing of a commercial jetliner using biologically derived fuel.
Each of the 747-8 freighter’s four GE GEnx-2B engines will be powered by a blend of 15% camelina-based biofuel mixed with 85% traditional kerosene.
Boeing VP, and General Manager of the 747-8, Elizabeth Lund said: “This historic flight is a boost to aviation’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency in all phases of our industry.
“And the 747-8F fits in well with these efforts by bringing huge improvements in fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions and less noise.”
Source; IFW
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