Boeing has stated that it expect Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) airlines to buy about 960 new aircraft worth $90 billion over the next 20 years to upgrade the fleet of narrow-bodied planes.
"Demand for planes will also be stimulated by the growth of passenger flow on international routes to Russia and CIS countries and on the domestic market, too,” says Randy Tinseth, vice-president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes in charge of marketing. “Our estimates show that passenger flow in the region will increase by 4.8% per year on average."
Boeing expects an increasing number of passengers flying to Russia and the CIS as tourists and for business reasons driving demand for transcontinental and interregional flights. Such demand would mean airlines will require more narrow-bodied aircraft.
Given the age of existing fleets, carriers in the region will need to buy new planes to replace older aircraft. Boeing has forecasted that the share of narrow-bodied planes would increase to 63% from 54% in 2029.
"Airlines have to pay more and more attention to the age of their fleets because old planes, which use a large amount of fuel, become a great burden,” Boeing said in a statement. “Increasing public and state authorities' attention to the influence of airplanes on the global climate will also be a factor which airlines will have to take into account, when they choose planes with a lower level of carbon emissions.”