South Asia’s air travel sector is dominated by the Indian market, which accounts for about 90 per cent of the region’s passenger traffic. India’s continued economic growth and its expanding middle class will fuel demand across South Asia for 2,400 new commercial jets valued at nearly 375 billion during the 20-year forecast period, according to Boeing.

Single-aisle airplanes will increase their share of total airplane demand to serve India’s vast domestic market and competitive regional market, which includes established carriers as well as start-up airlines. To improve and expand long-haul connectivity—especially routes from India to North America and Europe—carriers will continue to invest in versatile, fuel-efficient widebody airplanes.

“We project robust demand for air travel in South Asia with carriers increasing services, and passengers feeling confident about travel to see family and friends and do business, as well as from air cargo,” said managing director, regional marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Dave Schulte. “Key elements that will promote continued growth in the region will be the competitive domestic market and opportunities in international routes, both backed by government policies to reduce airline cost and taxes,” added Schulte.

President, Boeing India, Salil Gupte said, “India continues to develop as one of the world’s largest civil aviation markets as it ramps up its capabilities and capacity in infrastructure and services. At Boeing, we are committed to support this growth through our Make in India supplier partnerships, next-generation products and solutions, technologies and services, to advance the future of commercial aviation.”

Other insights from Boeing’s CMO forecast through 2040 include:

Boeing and IGRUA Explore Collaboration Opportunities: Boeing also announced plans to explore strategic collaboration opportunities to enhance safety and quality in early career flight training with Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), a premier flight training organization under the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Boeing’s strategic collaboration with IGRUA is an important step in advancing aviation training in the country through collaboration with flight training and development organisations to enhance capabilities and safety.

“IGRUA has always set the bar for training in Indian aviation. The collaboration with Boeing will help IGRUA set the bar even higher to achieve global standards. The collaboration will not just benefit the next generation of Indian pilots, but the entire aviation ecosystem of the country will benefit from Boeing’s experience in safety and quality. IGRUA is proud to be associated with Boeing,” said Director, IGRUA, Krishnendu Gupta.

IGRUA’s experience in India and the surrounding region will provide key insights into identifying opportunities for the organizations to work together in the early career flight training field.

“Boeing is committed to supporting and investing in the Indian Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision of continuing to develop India as an aviation hub,” said President, Boeing India, Salil Gupte. “Our strategic collaboration with IGRUA will look at ways to further emphasize safety and quality to aspiring airline cadets in training and throughout their careers,” added Gupte.