Boeing forecasts that widebody aircraft will make up 45pc of deliveries to Middle East airlines over the next 20 years.
The manufacturer’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) forecast, released during Dubai air show, forecast the Middle East’s fleet of freighters is also expected to double to 180 jets by 2042.
On the first day of the show Emirates (90), Flydubai (30) and SunExpress (90) all announced orders with Boeing. A massive order of 600 aircraft from Turkish Airlines is anticipated for either Boeing or Airbus (or both) and Air Riyadh, a start up with huge funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is also expected to up the stakes with a series of large orders.
According to the CMO, the Middle East is projected to receive 3,025 new commercial aircrafts by 2042, with 1,350 of them being widebodies. This is because many airlines in the region serve major population centres in Asia, Africa, and Europe, requiring larger passenger volumes.
The Middle East’s single-aisle fleet is forecast to double as low-cost carriers and short-haul networks continue to expand. By 2042, almost half of the region’s aircraft will be single-aisle jets.
Other highlights from the CMO for the Middle East through 2042 include that two-thirds of new deliveries will support air traffic and cargo growth, one-third will replace older aircrafts with more fuel-efficient models, and the total fleet will increase 2.4 times to reach 3,360 aircrafts.
Boeing has been publishing the CMO annually since 1961.
