Middle East airlines will require 2,980 new airplanes valued at $765bn to serve passengers and trade over the next 20 years, according to Randy Heisey, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East, Africa, and Russia and Central Asia Regions.
More than two-thirds of these deliveries will enable growth, while one-third will replace older airplanes with more fuel-efficient models such as the Boeing 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner and 777X, Heisey told a Middle East media event yesterday.
In the widebody segment, Boeing forecasts a regional demand for 1,290 new passenger airplanes by 2041.
Single-aisle airplanes will continue to be the largest market segment with operators projected to need 1,580 new airplanes in the next 20 years. The growth of single-aisle fleet is largely due to the rapid growth of low-cost carriers across the region, he noted.
Air cargo demand is expected to grow 8% by 2041. The Middle East freighter fleet is expected to reach 170 aircraft of which 70 will be new deliveries.
Over the next 20 years, airline traffic growth in the Middle East is projected to increase by an average of 4% per year (in comparison to the global growth of 3.8% per year).
Qatar Airways tops global air cargo in tonnage in 2021
Qatar Airways topped global carriers in the cargo segment in terms of tonnage or freight ton kilometres (FTKs) last year, Boeing’s 2022 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) has shown.
In 2011, Qatar Airways stood at 15th position globally in terms of tonnage, noted Randy Heisey, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa, and Russia and Central Asia Regions.
Dubai’s Emirates was in second position by cargo tonnage in 2021. In 2011, the UAE carrier stood at fifth position globally.
Notably, air cargo traffic flown by Middle East carriers has continued its substantial growth of recent years.
Air cargo demand is expected to grow 8% by 2041. The Middle East freighter fleet is expected to reach 170 aircraft; more than doubling the pre-pandemic fleet, of which 70 will be new deliveries, Heisey told a media event yesterday.
In February this year, Qatar Airways ordered up to 50 777-8 Freighters, expanding its commitment to the Boeing 777X family.
Qatar Airways will be the 777-8 Freighter launch customer with a firm order for 34 jets and options for 16 more.
First delivery of the new freighter is anticipated in 2027, Qatar Airways said.
Boeing 777-8 Freighter will be world’s largest twin-engine cargo jet with the most payload capacity and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs.
