Arab News, Sun, Nov 14, 2023 | Rabi Al-Aakhir
30, 1445
AH
Middle East will need 3k new aircraft by 2042: Boeing
RIYADH:
Boeing anticipates a demand for 3,000 new aircraft in the Middle East by
2042, signifying the region’s growth in the aviation sector.
During a media briefing ahead on Nov. 12, ahead of Dubai Airshow 2023,
President of Boeing Brendan Nelson restated the company’s commitment to
supporting the industry in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and neighboring nations.
Boeing holds a significant position in the operations of the Kingdom’s
flagship carrier, Riyadh Air ,as in March, the airline ordered a fleet of 72
787 Dreamliners, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 2025.
The aviation firm plans to work closely with regional governments, focusing
on manufacturing aircraft parts, research and development, and professional
training to contribute to the sector’s growth.
According to Khaleej Times, Nelson said: “Our vision is to build an
ecosystem in the region, invest in R&D (research and development), develop
industrial partnerships, and enhance manufacturing capacity in both
commercial and defense sectors.”
As part of its expanding regional engagements, Boeing joined forces with the
UAE’s leading renewable energy firm Masdar in October to advance the global
sustainable aviation fuel industry, aligning with the industry’s goal of
achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook forecast, global airlines
will need 42,595 new aircraft by 2042, with Middle East-based airlines
requiring 3,025 – 45 percent being widebody planes.
These objectives are driven by the rising demand for travel within the
region and the emergence of new flight hubs.
Boeing predicts that the global aviation industry will require 2.2 million
new personnel by 2042, with the Middle East and Africa contributing 13
percent to meet this demand.
Nelson emphasized the company’s active exploration of additional
opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the broader region, where over 3,000
aircraft, 58,000 pilots, and nearly 100,000 crews will be needed in the next
two decades.
The demand for airliners is anticipated to remain robust, propelled by the
Kingdom’s target of attracting 150 million tourists as part of its economic
diversification efforts.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation evolution
Saudi Arabia launched a new aviation policy in October to boost the sector’s
performance and attract investments worth $100 billion by 2030.
According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the plan will see new
regulations for airports, ground services, cargo and air transport services.
This approach supports the privatization of airports, facilitates the
procedures for new investors to join the aviation market, and enables
airport operators to set wages according to their plans.
The authority will also enable airport operators to diversify their revenues
flexibly by increasing revenues from non-navigational services.
In September, Randy Heisey, Boeing’s managing director of commercial
marketing in Africa and the Middle East region, told Arab News that the
company is working with Saudi airlines to implement advanced aircraft and
engine technologies that align with global sustainability goals.