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Airbus releases new market forecast, confirms Asia remains the prime target market
June 16th 2017
Airbus’ growth focus remains fixed on emerging markets, particularly in Asia, its most recent Global Market Forecast reveals. Read More » Released last week, it predicted a rise in demand for passenger aircraft globally, saying more than twice as many airliners now in service would be required to meet demand in the next two decades.
Raising its forecast to 2036, the Toulouse-headquartered manufacturer insisted a recent slowdown in orders did not signal an overall drop in the market.
Airbus has lifted its demand forecast from 33,070 aircraft a year ago to 34,900 jets, valued at US$5.3 trillion. It trimmed its traffic growth outlook from 4.5% a year to 4.4%, which reflected a more cautious view about mature markets such as Europe and North America.
“The growth is in the Asia-Pacific,” Airbus chief operating officer customers, John Leahy, told media in Toulouse. “Europe and North America are growing too, but nowhere near as fast. It’s the Asia-Pacific that’s driving the growth around the world,” he said.
“Look what is going to happen in 20 years. The number one domestic market by far is going to be domestic China.” Disposable incomes were growing fast in the region and the number of people taking a flight would nearly triple in the next two decades, Leahy said.
Airbus forecasts the Asia-Pacific would take 41% of new deliveries to 2036 followed by Europe (20%) and North America (16%).
After a slow start this year, Airbus narrowed the order gap with Boeing in May. Airbus sold 59 commercial aircraft, valued at approximately US$10.6 billion, during the month. Boeing booked 13 commercial orders, worth approximately US$3 billion at list prices.
Boeing still leads the race. At May 31, Boeing secured 200 orders for US$27 billion compared with 110 orders for Airbus at US$18.6 billion.
Airbus’ May orders were 20 A350-900s from China Southern Airlines and 30 A321ceo from Delta Air Lines. Two undisclosed customers ordered five A320ceo and four A320neo, respectively. BOC Aviation’s May order for four A320neo and two A330neo, bound for TAP Portugal, has not yet been listed by the manufacturer.
Boeing’s May orders were 10 B787-9s for Canada’s WestJet and three B737-800s from an undisclosed customer.
On Thursday, it emerged Hong Kong-headquartered China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) had placed an order with Boeing for 50 B737 MAX series aircraft, valued at US$5.8 billion at list prices. Deliveries will run until 2023.
Airbus delivered 59 aircraft to 32 airlines and eight lessors in May, including three A380s – one each for Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways – and five A350s. Boeing delivered 55 aircraft to 31 airlines, six lessors and an unidentified customer, including six B777-300ERs, nine B787-9s and three B787-8s.
