Middle East operators expected to require 2,610 new airplanes over next 20 years; Traffic growth in the Middle East continues to outpace the rest of the world.
DUBAI, UAE – Boeing forecasts that airlines in the Middle East will require 2,610 new airplanes over the next 20 years, worth an estimated $550 billion. While one-third of that demand – 900 airplanes – will replace today’s fleets, 66 percent of the demand is expected to be driven by the rapid fleet expansion in the region.
According to the Boeing Current Market Outlook (CMO), long-range, twin-aisle airplanes – such as the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner – will continue to dominate the Middle East’s order books, reflecting the global network priorities and emerging alliances and partnerships of the region’s carriers.
“International traffic growth in the Middle East continues to outpace the rest of the world,” said Randy Tinseth, Vice President of Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The Gulf region benefits from a unique geographic position that enables one-stop connectivity between Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Additionally, over the last decade, we’ve seen a rise in low-cost carriers that have benefitted from a large youthful population, large migrant workforce and trends toward market liberalization.”
According to the Boeing forecast, twin-aisle aircraft will account for more than half of the region’s new airplane deliveries over the 20-year period – as compared to 24 percent globally. Single-aisle airplanes, such as the Boeing 737, will make up 47 percent of regional deliveries through to 2032, while large airplanes such as the Boeing 747 will account for 10 percent of forecasted demand. Regional jets account for the remaining 1 percent of the demand.
“Boeing is well-positioned to address demand in the Middle East,” Tinseth said. “Boeing airplanes provide airlines in the region with the capability to serve their expanding networks, the comfort and flexibility for a premium brand experience and the superior operating economics to create advantages not only for the airlines, but the flying public as well.”
Globally, Boeing has forecast a long-term demand for 35,280 new airplanes, valued at $4.8 trillion. These new airplanes will replace older, less efficient airplanes, benefiting airlines and passengers and stimulating growth in emerging markets and innovation in airline business models. To meet the growing demand for new airplanes, Boeing has increased production of its popular 737, 777 and 787 airplane families.
Boeing, flydubai Announce Historic Single-Aisle Agreement
Boeing and flydubai announced a commitment for up to 100 737 MAX 8 airplanes and 11 Next-Generation 737-800s on the opening day of the Dubai Airshow.
The commitment from the airline of the emirate of Dubai, valued at $11.4 billion at list prices (including orders and purchase rights), is the largest ever Boeing single-aisle airplane purchase in the Middle East. The investment continues flydubai’s legacy operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet.
“flydubai is pleased to continue its partnership with Boeing. We believe that the commitment for up to 111 Boeing 737 aircraft will give flydubai one of the best performing aircraft available in the single-aisle market,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai. “This will ensure that flydubai is well positioned to continue to set new standards in aviation and support the further economic development of the United Arab Emirates.”
“We are extremely proud of the confidence that flydubai continues to place in our products operating an all-Boeing fleet,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “We look forward to continue strengthening our partnership and seeing the Next-Generation 737-800 and subsequently the 737 MAX play a central role in flydubai’s rapid expansion plans.”
The 737 MAX will build on the Next-Generation 737’s popularity and reliability while delivering customers unsurpassed fuel efficiency in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX 8 is expected to be 8 percent per-seat more fuel efficient than the future competition.
Development of the 737 MAX is on schedule with firm configuration of the airplane achieved in July 2013. First flight is scheduled in 2016 with deliveries to customers beginning in 2017. Already a market success, the 737 MAX has accumulated more than 1,600 orders to date.
flydubai placed its first order for 50 Next-Generation 737-800s in 2008. The airline took delivery of its first airplane in 2009 and was the first airline in the world to debut the Boeing Sky Interior, an enhanced onboard experience. To date, flydubai has taken delivery of 33 Next-Generation 737-800s.
In the past two years, flydubai has more than doubled the number of destinations it flies to and has around 1,200 weekly flights. flydubai carried 5.1 million passengers in 2012 and has become the second largest carrier, by passenger numbers, operating out of Dubai International.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Reaches 1,000th Order with Etihad Airways
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner received its 1,000th customer order today when Etihad Airways announced an order for 30 787-10 Dreamliners, valued at $8.7 billion at list prices. With this order, the Dreamliner family has reached this sales milestone faster than any other widebody airplane in aviation history.
Launched in April 2004, the 787 family received its 1000th order in approximately nine years, about eight years faster than the popular Boeing 777. Including today’s announcement, the 787 Dreamliner has accumulated 1,012 orders from 60 customers worldwide.
“Our ongoing investment in the 787 is well-founded and is apparent by the record time in which the Dreamliner family received its 1,000th order,” said Ray Conner. “We are truly grateful for the continued confidence that our customers have placed in the 787 and together, we are excited about growing the product line and expanding our presence with this family of airplanes.”
Etihad now has 71 787 Dreamliners on order and is the world’s largest airline customer for the airplane.
“This is a significant, timely and essential order for us, as we celebrate our tenth anniversary and plan for our next decade and beyond,” said Etihad Airways President and CEO James Hogan. “In just 10 years, we have grown from a start-up carrier to a global airline. This order enables us to build upon our achievements, using the next generation of aircraft to support our next generation of development.”
In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to midsize airplanes, the 787 family provides airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance. The airplane uses at least 20 percent less fuel with 20 percent fewer emissions than today’s similarly sized airplanes. Airlines also realize more cargo revenue capacity – a 20 to 45 percent advantage over similarly sized airplanes.
The first member of the family, the 787-8, entered service in September 2011, and the longer 787-9 is in testing and on track to deliver in mid-2014. To date, 102 787 Dreamliners have been delivered to 16 customers around the world.
The 787-10 will be the third and longest member of the family. With its greater passenger and cargo capacity and high degree of commonality, the 787-10 will set a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics. The 787-10 will be 25 percent more efficient than airplanes of its size today and more than 10 percent better than anything offered by the competition for the future. Final assembly and flight test of the 787-10 are set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2018.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
