Airlines in India will need 1,450 planes in next 20 yrs:Boeing

Airlines in India will need over 1,400 planes, worth USD 175 billion, in the next twenty years, aviation major Boeing predicted today "Over the next 20 years, the Boeing Current Market Outlook projects that the airlines in India will need 1,450 new airplanes worth USD 175 billion," the company said in a release here. Boeing continues to be the choice supplier of long-haul, twin-aisle airplanes, with the 777 and 787 Dreamliner playing key roles in the fleets of major airlines in India, it said. Dinesh Keskar, senior vice-president, Asia Pacific and India Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes told reporters at the ongoing Aero India 2013 show that while air traffic is dropping due to reduced capacity, yields are improving and fuel prices are stabilising in the market. "These are all positive signs for the airlines in India. There is now a balance between supply and demand, helping airlines get reasonable yields to make a profit," he added. Single-aisle airplanes such as the Next-Generation 737 and new 737 MAX continue to be in high demand among airlines in India, making up the bulk of new deliveries in the next 20 year period, the company said. "Because fuel prices are higher in India, our newest products such as the 737 MAX will help airlines in India save fuel and lower their costs. In addition the capabilities of the 737 MAX will allow airlines to fly passengers farther and in more comfort with the Boeing Sky Interior," Keskar said.