Airbus eyes big in India

Expressing optimism over the growth of the Indian air travel sector in the coming years in spite of the current turbulence, Airbus has forecast that Indian carriers will require 1020 new passenger and 20 freighter aircraft valued at US $ 145 billion between now and 2030. Addressing a press conference at the India Aviation 2012 here on Thursday, Joost van der Heijden, head of airline marketing of Airbus for India and Southeast Asia, said that India was expected to be the fastest growing country for air travel over the next 10 years. The international passenger traffic would grow by 8.8 per cent during the next decade as (global average 7.7 per cent) and domestic traffic by 10 per cent, To accommodate the growth driven by the growing middle class and urbanisation, as many as 1020 new aircraft would be required to be added to the existing fleet of 327, making India the fourth largest market in terms of number of aircraft and value. They would include 646 single-aisles like A320 and A 320 neo family, 308 twin aisles like the A350XWB and A330 and 66 very large aircraft such as A380. He said while the company globally targetted 50 per cent of the market, the position was stronger in India and the same was expected to continue. Since 2005, Airbus received over 70 per cent of the total orders placed by Indian carriers. Embraer optimistic Leading commercial jet manufacturer Embraer, too, sees huge opportunities for private jets in India in the next decade. Industry estimates project the number of new jets during 2012-21 at 1,363 at an estimated $40 billion with China accounting for $17 billion to $20 billion. Embraer Vice-President Jose Eduardo Costas said given the projected growth in the demand, the company could not overlook India as it was the second largest market for the airline after China. Mr. Costas said the company was looking at opportunities here on the lines of Singapore Airlines' Jet Suite tie-up wherein private jets catered to the local transport needs of high-end business customers arriving in the United States