The combined effect of liberalization and rapid economic growth is driving passenger traffic in the region. In Korea, Incheon International Airport serves as a major hub in the region and the Korean peninsula is perfectly situated between Japan and China, allowing it to continue as a gateway to key markets in Asia.

Air travel in Northeast Asia is expected to grow moderately at 4.3 percent annually over the next 20 years. Korea’s dynamic economy as well as the nation’s thirst for air travel will fuel growth for the region.

—Randy Tinseth, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Marketing

Two-thirds of Northeast Asia’s projected 1,250 airplane deliveries will be for growth. Taking into account airplanes set to retire, the fleet in Northeast Asia will increase from 690 airplanes today to 1,520 in 2030.

Northeast Asia is a big market for twin aisle and large aircraft. These aircraft account for about 45% of the region’s demand for aircraft in terms of units and almost 70 percent in terms of value. Boeing also forecasts single-aisle jetliners will account for 46% of new airplane deliveries to the region. The demand for single-aisle airplanes is driven by the growing number of low-cost carriers providing intra- and inter-regional service.