DUBAI, UAEAirbus updated its forecast for total commercial airplane demand by 0.5% compared with pre-pandemic projections amidst the brighter outlook for freighters.



Airbus said a rising share of total airplane deliveries would be to replace jets already in the market rather than to facilitate the recently curbed growth plans of many airlines.

That emphasis reflects expectations that airlines will retire less efficient jets earlier following COVID-19, but also addresses a sensitive point for the industry as some environmental groups target what they see as over-expansion.

Airbus said 39% of deliveries would replace older planes with higher emissions, compared with 36% in an earlier forecast.

Faster retirements worry some suppliers and lessors who fear the economically useful life of jets will fall, forcing them to miss out on service revenues or push up depreciation costs.
Via Yahoo Finance