China will be the biggest market, with expected demand for more than 3,000 aircraft, followed by Japan and India with a combined total of 2,000. Moreover, demand for small aircraft of fewer than 100 seats is also expected to grow in some markets, such as China.

"Two-thirds of new demand are for wide-body aircraft, and in this market, four major models are on offer: Boeing 787 and 777 and Airbus A350 and 340," said Randy Tinseth, vice president for marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Driving the market is the growth of emerging low-cost airlines.

Tinseth said in the next 20 years, a total of 28,600 aircraft would be required throughout the world. Of that total, Europe will need 6,670 aircraft, the Middle East 1,160, Latin America 1,730, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States 1,060 and Africa 490. In terms of volume, North America would remain the largest market with a expected demand for 9,140.

Tinseth said Boeing was hoping to sell more aircraft to Thai Airways International (THAI), particularly its newly developed 787, which is scheduled to roll out of the factory in next month. ANA will be the first airline to receive delivery, next May.

THAI last week received Cabinet approval to lease eight Airbus 340-300 aeroplanes.

Tinseth declined to comment on the decision but said Boeing had closely monitored the move.

He also said Thai carriers would need more aeroplanes following air transport liberalisation, economic growth and increased intra-regional travel.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation