Middle East: Airbus forecasts doubling of fleet by 2036

Middle East airlines will require 2,590 new commercial aircraft over the next 20 years, according to Airbus’s 2017 Global Market Forecast, representing a market value of US$600b for the region’s future fleet. The Middle East fleet is expected to more than double from 1,250 to 3,320 by 2036. The new aircraft will cover replacement of 520 retiring aircraft, with the remaining 2,070 as new additions to the fleet. Airbus forecasts 730 aircraft are expected to remain in service through 2036. “Most people around the world are just one flight away from the Middle East. The region’s proximity to the world’s population and growth markets has been a key in its aviation success,” Airbus Commercial Aircraft COO-customers John Leahy said. The forecast expects 1,082 single-aisle aircraft, such as its A320 family, and the same number of twin-aisle aircraft (i.e., A330 family aircraft) to make up the bulk (83.4%) of new deliveries in the Middle East, with an expected 430 very large aircraft (A350s and A380s) rounding out demand through 2036. Middle East carriers now represent orders for 1,319 commercial aircraft with Airbus, including 687 single-aisle, 409 twin-aisle and 162 very large aircraft from at least 18 regional customers. <br/>