The FAA projects passenger growth for US carriers will advance at an average annual rate of 1.8% over the next 20 years—about 0.1% lower than last year’s forecast—increasing by 48% or roughly 424m passengers from 2018 levels by 2039. That rate is consistent with the long-term historical growth trend, although it falls short of the annual 2.1% passenger growth achieved by US carriers over the last 15 years. The guidance for years 2019-2039 was released April 25 by the FAA as part of the agency’s annual Aviation Aerospace Forecast. International passenger growth at US carriers is expected to expand faster at 3%, compared to 1.6% growth in domestic passengers, causing domestic passengers’ share of total US traffic volume to edge down slightly from 89% in 2019 to 86% in 2039. <br/>
general
The US FAA said Thursday it is inviting top civil aviation officials from around the world to a May 23 meeting to discuss the now-grounded Boeing 737 MAX. The FAA said the meeting "is intended to provide participants the FAA’s safety analysis that will inform its decision to return the 737 MAX fleet to service in the US when it is made." The FAA, which did not disclose where the meeting will take place, said that at the May 23 meeting it will "provide safety experts to answer any questions participants have related to their respective decisions to return the fleet to service." It will not include Boeing at the meeting. The meeting is separate from a joint governmental review of the Boeing 737 MAX led by the FAA that will begin April 29 and will include 9 other aviation regulators from around the world. <br/>
Boeing’s CE has assured investors that the company’s massive effort to return the 737 Max to service has not affected – at least not significantly – 777X development or potential development of the “new mid-market airplane”. CE Dennis Muilenburg walked a fine line while speaking to investors Wednesday, repeatedly stressing that Boeing’s prime focus remains to address issues with the Max, which has involved employees from across the company. But that work has not cut into development of Boeing’s next generation of aircraft, he says. Prior to the most recent 737 Max crash, Boeing’s public relations efforts centered largely on promoting the 777X, which the company had planned to unveil to media during a ceremony March 13. Boeing cancelled that event immediately after the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. <br/>