GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE AVIATION

摘要

The global aviation sector is a complex one to analyse but one thing's always certain, it changes at an incredibly fast pace and there's no sign of any deceleration. New partnerships in airport operation and ownership models, branded global airline alliances, intense competition between hub airports and shifting travel patterns and destinations mean that the global aviation map is closer to revolution than evolution. The information available on the airline fleet growth (see chart, right) tells a story in itself. The fastest growing fleets are in China, Southeast Asia, India and this is reflected in the planned infrastructure boom in the regions. Growth in the Middle East is being driven primarily by the geographical benefit of being a hub for transfer passengers to these emerging markets as well as becoming a recognised business and tourist destination. Even this picture is complex though, as much of the fleet growth in Asia is driven by short-haul low-cost travel, the Gulf carriers are buying literally for the long haul and the US is replacing an ageing fleet partly driven by growing environmental pressures.