TOULOUSE, France, 13 Dec. 2011. The U.S. and Canada have the highest percentage of existing aircraft that will need to be replaced in the coming decades, according to Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF). Specifically, 41 percent of the aircraft currently in service in North America will need to be replaced over the next 20 years–greater than in any other region of the world.
North America continues to be a key market for Airbus’ newest aircraft types, says a spokesperson. In 2011, there were eight new routes for the A380 to the U.S. and Canada. Airports which currently see regular A380 traffic include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, Washington D.C., and Miami.
From a sales perspective, the A320neo and the A350XWB have made inroads in the U.S. market. Orders and commitments for the A320neo include U.S. customer airlines:
• American Airlines - 130
• Republic/Frontier - 80
• Spirit Airlines - 45
• JetBlue Airways - 40
• Virgin America - 30
The Airbus Global Market Forecast shows the need for some 1,140 twin-aisle aircraft in North America in the next 20 years. To date, firm orders for the A350XWB include U.S. customer airlines:
• United Airlines - 25
• US Airways - 22
• Hawaiian Airlines - 6
Overall, the market for passenger aircraft in North America is expected to grow by 66 percent over the next 20 years. The growth for dedicated freighters in the region is even greater, with a growth rate in the same period of some 80 percent.
Globally, by 2030, some 27,800 new aircraft valued at $3.5 trillion will be required to satisfy the robust future market demand.
With more than 3,100 aircraft sold (including to U.S.-based leasing companies) and a backlog of some 1,000, there are currently more than 1,100 Airbus aircraft in operation throughout the U.S. and Canada.
