Airbus A320 Lufthansa.
Airlines in Germany will require nearly 1,150 new passenger aircraft above 100 seats and freighters over the next 20 years, according to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF). These new aircraft will include some 780 short-haul single-aisle aircraft, more than 280 twin-aisle medium to long-range wide-body aircraft, and around 90 very large aircraft such as the A380. These new aircraft are valued at approximately US$ 144 billion at today’s list prices. The main drivers for this investment are the growing demand for air travel and the benefits that can be derived by operating the most modern and eco-efficient fleets. As a result, Germany’s aircraft fleet is expected to more than double, growing from over 500 aircraft (of more than 100 seats) in operation at the beginning of 2009 to more than 1,200 by 2028.

“In terms of new passenger aircraft deliveries, Germany will rank third in the world,” said John Leahy COO Customers, Airbus. “Furthermore, Germany’s leading position as a gateway for the world’s air travelers will be further enhanced especially with Lufthansa’s A380s now joining the fleet.”

Germany’s air travel has achieved 34% growth from 2000 to 2009 despite two of the worst downturns in aviation history. The main growth drivers have been the recovering international traffic from Germany to the Middle East (+180%), emerging markets in China (+117%) and India (+131%), as well as the more traditional markets of North America (+28%) and Asia (+20%). Furthermore, the Airbus GMF predicts that over the next 20 years Western Europe is expected to show an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. Routes to the Middle East (+5.5%), the CIS (+6.0%), Central Europe (+6.7%) and Asia (+4.6%) will be the most important levers for growth. Germany’s strong and growing demand for air travel is based on its continued economic development, growing tourism, the emergence of low-cost-carriers and the country’s position as a major air transportation gateway.

Six German operators (Air Berlin/LTU, Condor, Germanwings, Hamburg International, Lufthansa, plus the German Air Force) currently rely on the excellence of Airbus’ modern product range, operating a combined total of 306 modern, fuel efficient aircraft (216 A320 Family aircraft, 10 A300/A310s, 79 A330/A340s, and now the region’s first A380). Overall, Airbus aircraft make up 55 per cent of today’s fleet in Germany. In addition, 79 more aircraft are still in the Airbus backlog for delivery (65 A320 Family plus 14 A380s). Lufthansa is Germany’s largest Airbus operator, and also the world’s biggest Airbus airline customer.

Today Germany is a major gateway for travelers worldwide, enabled by both its airlines and important hub airports. Out of all the 36 European countries, Germany provides the most passenger traffic into the CIS and China, and second into North America, the Middle East, Indian sub-continent and Asia.

Source: Airbus
Photo: Marjoleine van der Zijde