Boeing projects Middle Eastern carriers will maintain widebody demand

Middle Eastern operators will take delivery of 3,000 new aircraft over the next two decades, with a strong widebody presence, Boeing estimates in its latest forecast for the region. Ahead of the Dubai air show in November, the airframer states that these deliveries will include 1,320 widebody types as well as 1,570 single-aisle aircraft. They will be complemented by 70 freighters and 40 regional jets. Boeing estimates that the Middle East region’s fleet will increase by more than 2,000 aircraft – rising from the current figure of 1,500 to more than 3,500 by 2040. The single-aisle and widebody sectors will more than double their fleets – to 1,750 and 1,570 aircraft respectively – while the number of freighters will rise from 80 to 150. Two-thirds of the overall deliveries will support expansion, with the remainder for replacement. Boeing’s backlog data lists over 500 aircraft yet to be delivered to Middle Eastern customers, led by 777X and 787 orders to Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, plus 737 Max jets for Flydubai. Among other customers for outstanding orders are Gulf Air and Oman Air, plus lessors ALAFCO and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.<br/>