World air fleet to double in 20 years, Boeing says

PARIS (AP) — Boeing expects its global aircraft demand to double in the next two decades with most of the orders coming from Asia, an executive from the US airplane-maker says.

Speaking ahead of the Bourget International Air Salon, Randy Tinseth, vice-president of marketing for Boeing, says rising oil prices are forcing carriers to think harder about efficiency, and that means smaller planes that burn less fuel. It also means design changes and streamlined air traffic control.

The 20-year forecast, which Boeing puts out annually, predicts 60 percent of the demand for aircraft will come from Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The rest comes from carriers in Europe and North America.

The commercial fleet today stands at 20,310 aircraft, Boeing says. In 2032, the company said that will rise to 41,240.