Boeing projects 200% growth in demand for aircraft

Mumbai, July 23 (UNI) The Boeing Company has expressed confidence about the growth in demand for aircraft in India and is expecting a 200 per cent growth in the two tier cities.

Speaking at the release of its 2008 Current Market Outlook (CMO), Boeing Commercial Planes senior vice president (sales) Dinesh Keskar said the Company had projected that from 2007-2026, Indian market would need 911 planes. But, in the period between 2008-2027 the need has grown to 1,001 planes, worth more than 105 billion dollars, he said.

''The demand for the aircraft in the passenger and the freighter commercial planes will increase especially in the two tier cities,'' Mr Keskar said.

The 2008 CMO for India includes 59 regional, 728 single-aisle, 203 twin aisle, eleven 747 and larger planes, the company said.

Mr Kerkar said the CMO for India projects that commercial airplanes in the 100 to 400 seat categories will account for the vast majority of the growth in air travel over the next 20 years and the airlines will accommodate that growth by adding frequencies and point to point non-stop flights.

''Because of the growing demand, Boeing is focussed on offering fuel efficient and low maintenance airplanes, which allows the airlines to maximize operating efficiencies, lower their costs and increase profits,'' Mr Keskar added.

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