Boeing raises forecast for Indian plane demand

Boeing Company estimates Indian carriers will need 1,740 new airplanes, valued at $240 billion, through 2034, a senior executive at the US planemaker said on Wednesday.

Dinesh Keskar, senior vice-president, Asia Pacific and India sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a presentation that 84 per cent of the new planes required would be single-aisle, while 15 per cent would be wide-body aircraft.

The new forecast is above that made by Boeing last year, when it estimated Indian demand at 1,600 new airplanes worth $205 billion over 20 years.

India's aviation market is growing fast as more people start to fly and new carriers enter the market. Most players in the industry, however, are losing money, given high fuel prices and limited scope to raise fares.

(Reuters)