Boeing: Global Airlines Will Require 33,500 New Aircraft

In a presentation, Boeing said it projects “strong” long-term growth in the airline industry over the next two decades, with Asia-Pacific carriers providing the impetus of that expansion.

For the 2011-2030 period, global airlines are forecast to require 33,500 new aircraft worth about $4 trillion, according to Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ vice president for marketing Randy Tinseth. Of the new planes needed globally, about 60% will be for growth, with the remainder for replacement needs, Tinseth said

Meanwhile, new financial regulations and rising interest rates offered by import-export banks could mean airlines increasingly fund aircraft purchases and leasing via capital markets, or through aircraft leasing companies, Tinseth noted. “Basel III will make the banks a little bit more conservative and European banks will step back a little in terms of financing this year,” he said.