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Air cargo traffic growth predicted |
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Thursday, 07 August 2008 |
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The Boeing Company has predicted strong, long-term growth in the global air cargo market over the next 20 years.
The global air cargo market will grow at an annual rate of 5.8 per cent over the next 20 years with the world freighter fleet increasing from 1,948 to 3,892 aircraft, it has been claimed.
Boeing's new 20-year air cargo market forecast suggests that a total of 3,358 new aircraft will join the freighter fleet by 2027, taking into account that 1,414 planes will need to be retired in the next two decades.
The company suggests that 863 of these additions will be new production freighters, with a total value of $206 billion (£105 billion), and 2,495 airplane conversions.
"The forecast is based on a number of factors, most significantly economic growth in diverse areas of the world," said Jim Edgar, Boeing's regional director of cargo marketing for Asia.
"Over the long-term, global economic growth will drive demand for new, high-value products as well as seasonal perishables that people have become accustomed to enjoying."
Last month, the company announced delivery of a 747-400 freighter to Cargolux Airlines International. The freight carrier is the launch customer for the 747-8, and will take deliver of 13 of the new freighters next year. |
