Boeing ups demand forecast

Worldwide demand for aircraft in the next 20 years will be stronger than previously thought, thanks to demand in the Asia-Pacific region and from low-cost carriers. Boeing on Tuesday raised its estimate of global demand by 3.8 percent to 35,280 aircraft, and in value by 7 percent to $4.8 trillion. Boeing and rival Airbus compete for most of the existing market, but they face new competition from manufacturers in emerging economies. Airbus estimated in its last forecast in September that from 2012-2031 demand for new airliners would total 28,200 worth $4 trillion. Boeing said that from 2013-2032, demand in the segment for medium-range airliners with a single aisle, typically supplied by the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, would total 24,670 aircraft worth $2.29 billion. (Source: AFP via France24, Reuters, 06/11/13) Gulf Coast note: Airbus broke ground in April on a $600 million final assembly plant for A320s in Mobile, Ala. Three other Airbus sites currently build A320s.