Rolls lifts forecast for global demand

Rolls-Royce said yesterday it expects global demand for aircraft engines between 2000 and 2019 to be around 48,100 units, worth $337bn (£223bn).

This was higher than the company's last forecast of 44,500 engines, worth $280bn, for the period of 1998-2017.

Rolls-Royce, in its report entitled "The Outlook 2020", raised its projection for the value of aircraft deliveries in 2000-2019 to $1,460bn from its 1998-2017 forecast of $1,300bn.

It raised its forecast for demand for 180-seater jets to 11 per cent of total demand, from 8 per cent in the 1998 report, mostly at the expense of super-jumbos.

The Boeing 757-200 and Airbus A320 aircraft fall into the 180-seater category.

The company said aircraft of 400 seats or more, the Boeing 747-400 and the planned Airbus A3XX, would account for 17 per cent of global demand in 2000-2019, compared with 19 per cent in its 1998-2017 forecast period.

"The Asia Pacific region for aircraft deliveries is something like 30 per cent of the world market over the next 20 years, only second to North America," said Eion Bailey, regional executive for Rolls-Royce.

"So on the aircraft side, it's a big developing market," Mr Bailey said.

Rolls-Royce shares closed up 1p at 228.5p.