Boeing firecast market for 7,290 new aircraft in North America

Boeing published (25-Oct-2012) its 2012-2031 forecast for the commercial aircraft market in North America, projecting demand for 7290 new aircraft, at a value of USD820 billion. Taking retirements of airplanes into account, the North America fleet will grow from 6650 airplanes today to about 8830 airplanes by 2031. Demand will be driven by high fuel prices creating the need for new, more fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft. Boeing forecasts narrowbody aircraft will grow to 69% percent of the total North America fleet by 2031. The growth of low cost carriers is projected to continue to outpace that of network carriers. Overall traffic growth is projected at 3% p/a, with long-haul international traffic to and from North America is forecast at 5% p/a. Growth in the long-haul segment is expected to result in demand for an additional 1320 new widebody aircraft, with projected demand for 40 very large aircraft such as the 747-8. [more - original PR]