Boeing and Airbus predict Asian sales surge

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Source: BBC

Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region are emerging as the biggest customers for aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus.

Globally, some 25,000 aircraft worth $3.1 trillion will be sold in the next 20 years, Airbus forecasts. By numbers, airlines in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to buy slightly less than a third of the aircraft produced during the period, according to Boeing. However, by value their share will be greater since they are expected to favour large planes to serve the main routes within the region.

This bodes well for Airbus, which is hoping for brisk sales of its giant A380 aircraft. "This will see airlines from the region account for over 40% of twin-aisle deliveries and more than 50% of the demand for very large aircraft, such as the A380," said John Leahy, chief operating officer at Airbus.

Airbus and Boeing presented slightly different forecasts. Airbus said 8,000 planes worth $1.2 trillion would be sold in the Asia-Pacific region over the next 20 years. Boeing said 8,900 planes worth $1.1 trillion would be sold.

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