Video: Airbus’ press conference at India Aviation 2014

At the recently concluded India Aviation 2014 show, European airframer Airbus forecast Indian carriers will require 1,290 new passenger aircraft valued at US$190 billion between now and 2032. 73% of these aircraft will be to accommodate growth and 27% will be used for replacement.

Of the 1,290 aircraft, about 913 will be the single aisle narrow bodies of the A320 / Boeing 737 families, 322 of wide-body twin aisles like the A330, A350 XWB, 787, and 777. Airbus is also forecasting a requirement of 56 in the very large aircraft (VLA) category symbolised by the A380 and 747. Airbus also forecasts that Indian carriers will drastically increase their wide-body fleet share from the existing 15% to about 36%, as more carriers fly international, and deploy wide-body aircraft on dense routes.

India’s 8.6% passenger traffic growth rates are higher than the Asia Pacific region’s rate of 6.1%, and the 4.7% of the world. By 2032, the airframer estimates India will be the world’s third largest domestic market as the current air travel penetration rises 400% from the current 5% of population to 20%.

By 2032, Airbus also estimates Indian cities handling more than one million passengers per month will rise from the current two to 13.

Airbus Global Market Forecast. Top 20 VLA airports by 2030.
Airbus Global Market Forecast. Top 20 VLA airports by 2030.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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