BA Boeing Co

By Bingyan Wang

Boeing raised its forecast of commercial airplanes that China needs over the next two decades thanks to the country's economic growth and recovery in domestic air traffic.

The U.S. plane maker said Wednesday in its annual 20-year forecast that China will need 8,560 new commercial airplanes through 2042, up from the 8,485 forecast last year.

The company cited strong demand due to the recovery in domestic air traffic after China emerged from strict Covid controls late last year.

"Domestic air traffic in China has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels and international traffic is recovering steadily," said Darren Hulst, Boeing vice president, commercial marketing.

Growing demand will make China's aviation market the largest in the world and account for one-fifth of the world's plane deliveries over the next two decades, Boeing said.

Write to Bingyan Wang at bingyan.wang@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 20, 2023 00:01 ET (04:01 GMT)

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