Page 23 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE INDIA

Bullish on India Joost van der Heijden, Airbus
Head of Marketing-Asia

airbus says india nEEds ovEr 1,290 The Airbus executive says the A321 Airbus forecasts that 36% of India’s
aircraft worth $190 billion over the next 20 will be further enhanced in 2015 with the fleet will be wide-bodies, more than
years, as it plans to market the A321 and service introduction of its new engine doubling the current level.
A350 airplanes to Indian carriers. option jetliner versions. “This is a result of increased capacity
“We see an interest among Indian “Incorporating Airbus’ “Sharklet” wing of international as well domestic routes
carriers for the A321 as it benefits from tip devices and two new engine choices, the with larger aircraft like the A330 and
operational commonality with its fellow A320neo Family offers maximum benefit A350s,” Heijden says.
A320 family members, providing carriers with minimal changes from baseline In passenger traffic term, domestic
with tremendous flexibility in matching A319s, A320s and A321s – delivering fuel India is the fastest growing flow
aircraft to specific route requirements,” savings of up to 15%, along with additional increasing at almost 10% per year to
says Joost van der Heijden, Airbus head of range of up to 500 nautical miles/900 km. 2032. In 2032, India domestic traffic
marketing-Asia. or 2 tons of extra payload,” he says. will be the world’s third largest
Since all A320 family aircraft share Airbus also feels that A350 is domestic market. In addition, five
a single type rating – allowing pilots to an important aircraft for India as it of the world’s top 20 fastest growing
fly any version of the 320 aircraft after complements to the wide-bodied aircraft flows, connect India.
attending only one training course and operating in the country. “We are talking “Today one in 20 Indians travel by air
enabling the same team of mechanics to prospective customers,” he adds. and in 2032 this will increase five fold to a
to maintain an aircraft. With only Of the requirement for 1,290 new quarter of the population taking at least
minimal additional training, pilots aircraft in India, some 73% will be for one flight. Along with China, more people
also can transition quickly from these growth and 27% for replacement. The will experience the benefits of aviation
single-aisle jetliners to Airbus’ larger new passenger aircraft include 913 single for the first time in India than anywhere
long-range aircraft quickly thanks to aisles like the A320 and A320 Neo family, else,” the Airbus executive says.
the unique family concept and their 322 twin aisles like the A350 XWB and The company had forecast in 2012
exceptional degree of operational A330, and 56 very large aircraft such as that India would need 1,043 airplanes in
commonality, Airbus says. the A380. the period up to 2030.
Today one in 20 Indians travel by air and in 2032 this will increase
five fold to a quarter of the population taking at least one flight.

– Joost van der Heijden, Airbus Head of Marketing-Asia

WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM MARCH / APRIL 2014 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS 23