Boeing: China’s fleet to quadruple over 20 years

Boeing: China’s fleet to quadruple over 20 years    Boeing Tuesday forecast that China will require about 2,600 new aircraft worth $213 billion over the next 20 years, making it the largest market outside the United States for new airplanes.
   The Seattle-based aircraft manufacturer said that with the continued high rate of growth for the China air travel and air cargo markets, China’s fleet will nearly quadruple to more than 3,200 airplanes by the end of 2024.
   Worldwide, Boeing projects that operators will invest $2.1 trillion for approximately 25,700 new commercial airplanes during the next 20 years.
   Boeing said the freighter fleet will nearly double over the next 20 years from 1,760 to 3,530 airplanes, with widebody aircraft, currently 47 percent of the freighter fleet, supplying more than 60 percent of the additions. Three-quarters of freighter fleet additions during the next 20 years will come from modified passenger and combi airplanes, Boeing said.