According to a new Airbus forecast presented at the MAKS-2017 Airshow, in the next 20 years a fleet of passenger aircraft with a capacity of 100 seats in Russia & CIS will double from more than 760 aircraft currently in operation to more than 1,600 aircraft by 2036, according to the Airbus Company’s Press Service.
"The total need for airlines in Russia & the CIS in the new aircraft will be 1,203 planes with a total listing cost of US $ 156 billion. The vast majority of them will be narrow-bodied aircraft – 1,009.” The need for new wide-body aircraft and aircraft of extra-large capacity is estimated at 173 and 21 planes, respectively. Airlines will need both to update the current fleet, and to meet the demand for domestic and international flights. The forecast of Airbus also assesses the market for MRO services in the region in US $ 79 billion for the next 20 years,” the company noted.
Analysts from Airbus predict that in the next 20 years, airlines of Russia & CIS will continue to update their fleet of aircraft due to more efficient models, gradually removing less fuel efficient aircraft as well as aircraft purchased in the secondary market from the fleet. The increase in the number of aircraft in operation will increase the demand for flight and technical personnel. According to Airbus’ forecast, in the next 20 years the need for new pilots and equipment in Russia & CIS will be 20,270 and 23,200 people, respectively.
“25 years ago, commercial operation of Airbus began in Russia, more than 300 of our aircraft are flying in the fleet of Russian airlines, and we expect an increase in the supply of Airbus aircraft, including our latest A320peo and A350 XWB models,” said Christopher Buckley, Executive Vice President, Airbus in the Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific Region.
In the next 20 years, the average annual growth in passenger air travel in Russia & CIS will be 4.2%, the highest growth will be observed in destinations to Latin America (+ 6%), Asia Pacific (+ 5.5%), the Middle East (+ 5%) and Africa (+ 4.6%). At present, more than 370 Airbus aircraft are operated in Russia & CIS, both narrow-bodied and wide-bodied ones; over 300 of them owned by air carriers from Russia.
Airbus is the world leader in the aviation and space industry, as well as in the provision of related services. In 2016, the company’s revenue amounted to EUR 67 billion. As of the end of 2016, the company employed about 134,000 employees. Airbus produces the most modern family of passenger aircraft with a capacity of 100 to more than 600 seats, and is also a leader in the production of refueling aircraft, military and transport aircraft in Europe. Airbus is the leading space company in Europe and the second largest space company in the world. Airbus also produces the most efficient civil and military helicopters.
