India will need 1,000 aircraft over 20 yrs: Airbus CEO

EADS' unit Airbus expects the Indian aviation market will require more than 1,000 aircraft in the next 20 years, its chief executive Tom Enders said today.

EADS' unit Airbus expects the Indian aviation market will require more than 1,000 aircraft in the next 20 years, its chief executive Tom Enders said on Friday.

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US rival Boeing, which sees India's expanding aviation sector needing 1,150 commercial jets valued at $130 billion over 20 years, is set to tie up a $5.8-billion defence deal with India, ahead of President Barack Obama's November visit to the country.

A burgeoning middle class that is pushing up demand for air travel, rising new entrants in the country's airline sector and India's plan to overhaul its defence systems make India an attractive market for the likes of Airbus and Boeing.