Boeing has predicted that airlines in Russia, Ukraine and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will require 1,540 new aircraft by 2040.
The demand, worth $200bn, is driven predominantly by growth in the single-aisle market. Boeing believes the region will also require $320bn worth of aftermarket aviation services such as passenger-to-freighter conversions, maintenance and repair, and digital services.
The findings were part of the 2021 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), Boeing’s long-term forecast of demand for commercial aircraft and services.
Randy Heisey, managing director of commercial marketing for Russia, Ukraine and CIS at Boeing, said: “Boeing is ready to support carriers in Russia, Ukraine and CIS as they transform their business models and take advantage of opportunities for further growth.
“Aviation is vitally important for enabling robust domestic tourism growth and a rebound in long-haul leisure travel while also supporting trade and cargo links across a huge geographic region.”
The 2021 CMO projected annual air traffic growth of 2.9%, while forecasting that single-aisle aircraft will represent 75% of deliveries. It also expects a demand for 160 new widebody passenger and freighter airplanes to serve regional leisure markets, as well as long-haul passenger and cargo markets.
The CMO also expects the region to need 83,000 new aviation staff, including 25,000 pilots, 25,000 technicians and 33,000 cabin crews. The regions’ overall fleet is expected to total more than 2,000 airplanes, with significant demand for more fuel-efficient models by 2040.
