Speaking at the 12th World Route Development Forum in Dubai on Sunday September 17th, Airbus Vice President Market Research and Forecasts Mr. Laurent Rouaud, said air traffic growth supports strengthening hub routes as well as the opening up of new ones.
“By 2015, the number of passengers flying between large primary hub cities will double, whilst traffic to secondary cities will more than double on international markets such as Europe to Asia. This not only shows growth in hub-to-hub operations, but also a market for new point-to-point routes. These network developments, and the subsequent needs of airlines, has led Airbus to develop a range of aircraft to satisfy every market sector”.
Mr. Laurent Rouaud emphasised that larger hubs are also major final origin and destination points and that most new route openings would involve one hub.
An aircraft like the A380 addresses the growing hub-to-hub markets at unbeatable economics, and passenger comfort, whilst also helping alleviate pressure at congested airports. The new advanced long haul A350XWB is capable of opening up future new routes. As an example, Mr. Rouaud suggested there could be up to 120 new routes between Europe and Asia by 2025, from 180 today.
Mr Rouaud said one of the main drivers in air travel is the continuing growth of the Low Cost airlines in Europe and North America and their increasing presence in Asia. The A320 aircraft family, with its unmatched comfort, cabin flexibility and low operating costs is the aircraft of choice for these airlines and remains the best selling in the world.
Strong economic growth in emerging markets such as China, India, Russia and Brazil, is also a major growth driver. Last year, emerging countries represented around 30% of the aircraft orders compared with 5% earlier. Rising middle classes in India and China is also fuelling growth. In India alone, the market for domestic air travel is forecast to rise by 20 million people per year for the next 10 years. China’s international outbound tourism market is becoming the fastest growing in the world. Mr Rouaud said that the A380 is well timed and positioned to help operators benefit from these emerging markets.
Mr Rouaud further stated that the traffic in the dynamic Middle East region would continue to grow at a fast pace, fuelled by economic expansion and consumer spending levels close to the world’s most booming economies. At the same time The Middle East benefits from a unique geographical position.
Today Airbus has 25 customers in the Middle East region operating 300 Airbus aircraft.
