Airbus raises 20-year delivery forecast, sees more replacements

Europe’s Airbus on Wednesday raised its 20-year forecast for new airplane deliveries but tempered its predictions for growth in the global airline fleet as carriers focus on replacing more older jets.

The world’s largest planemaker predicted 40,850 deliveries, up from 39,490 in its previous 20-year forecast issued last year.

It lifted its forecast for freighter deliveries to 920 from 890 jets. That implies 39,930 passenger plane deliveries, of which Airbus said 80 per cent would typically be served by single-aisle jets like the Airbus A320neo or Boeing 737 MAX.