Boeing sees $8 trillion jet market in 20 years as climate reshapes travel

Boeing predicts airlines around the world will add 42,595 jets valued at about $8 trillion over the next two decades, even as concerns over climate change affect the way consumers travel.

The US planemaker’s latest tally of industrywide deliveries over the next 20 years takes into account growing activism over jet emissions, said Darren Hulst, a Boeing vice president of marketing. He predicts a fall-off in commercial flights that are shorter than 500 miles, as governments urge consumers to switch to greener transport such as trains.

Airlines’ ability to wring more flying and profit out of their aircraft will also temper sales. Boeing estimates that carriers will find ways to squeeze about 20 per cent more productivity out of their fleets by moving to large planes,