BOEING projects air cargo operators will need more than 2,600 freighters over the next 20 years as e-commerce rockets, according to the company?s new World Air Cargo Forecast
BOEING projects air cargo operators will need more than 2,600 freighters over the next 20 years as e-commerce rockets, according to the company?s new World Air Cargo Forecast. Released at the International Air Cargo Association's Air Cargo Forum and Exhibition in Toronto, Boeing said it expects freight to double, resulting in a need for 980 new medium and large freighters and 1,670 converted freighters, increasing the world?s fleet 70 per cent.
'The air cargo market continues to be a major element of commercial aviation?s growth story,' said Boeing commercial planes managing director Darren Hulst, reported Aviation International News.
'Our new forecast indicates strong long-term air cargo trends, which coincide with the market recovery that we have seen over the last few years across Europe, North America and Asia,' said Mr Hulst.
Factors driving growth include a growing express market in China and the global rise of e-commerce, which Boeing projects will increase 20 per cent annually to nearly US$5 trillion in 2021.
Boeing?s forecast indicates that demand for regional express services in fast-developing economies will boost the standard-body share of the freighter fleet from 37 per cent today to 39 per cent. As a result, some 1,170 standard body and 500 medium widebody passenger aircraft will undergo conversion into freighters over the next two decades, according to Boeing.
Meanwhile, it added, dedicated freighters - mainly large widebodies - will continue to account for more than 50 per cent of the world?s air cargo demand. Boeing has sold 80 production and 48 converted freighters since January of last year.
