While booming air travel in Asia has led to a rush of new aircraft orders, there is also a growing concern that financing this expansion may be difficult, especially for over-leveraged airlines given a global funding squeeze.
Over the last decade, domestic air traffic in India has grown from 13 million people annually to an estimated 52 million in 2011, making it the fastest-growing passenger market among major economies. Yet India’s airline industry is losing money and in deep debt, with few solutions in sight.
Despite speculation that Chinese aerospace manufacturer COMAC could one day rival heavyweights Airbus and Boeing, the firm says its focus stays on the domestic market.
The event is the largest aerospace and defense airshow in Asia, bringing together heads of the international aviation community.