Airlines

Boeing Forecasts Demand for New Commercial Airplanes from China

Boeing predicts that China will require 8,560 new commercial airplanes by 2042, driven by economic growth that exceeds the global average and rising domestic air transport demand. According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the company’s long-term prediction of demand for commercial airplanes and related services, China’s commercial aircraft fleet would more than double to approximately 9,600 jets over the next 20 years.

Boeing Forecasts Demand for More than 41,000 New Airplanes by 2041(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the CMO, with its ongoing recovery of air travel, China will account for one-fifth of global airplane deliveries over the next two decades. China’s domestic aviation industry will also be the world’s largest by the end of the projected period, boosting demand for 6,470 single-aisle jets like the Boeing 737 MAX family.

The 2023 China CMO includes these projections through 2042:

Along with demand for single-aisle jets, Chinese carriers will require 1,550 widebody airplanes mainly to support a growing network of international routes.
Fleet growth will drive two thirds of forecast deliveries in China, while the remainder will replace older jets with modern airplanes that increase efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions.
Continued growth in e-commerce and express shipping will drive demand for 190 new freighter deliveries.
China will require 433,000 new aviation personnel – including 134,000 pilots, 138,000 technicians and 161,000 cabin crew members – to serve its growing market.
China’s commercial fleet will generate demand for $675 billion in aviation services including maintenance, repair, training and spare parts.

Commercial airplane deliveries to China (2023-2042)
Regional Jet	350
Single Aisle	6,470
Widebody	1,550
Freighter	190
Total	8,560

2023 marks the 50th year of Boeing airplanes’ service in China. In 1972, China ordered 10 707 jets to modernize its commercial fleet and the following year, the country’s first 707 was delivered to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Today, Boeing airplanes are the mainstay of China’s air travel and cargo system.

The complete Boeing CMO forecast is available at http://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook/

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.