The US aircraft manufacturer said air travel between China and North America as well as China and Europe would triple over the next 20 years, but that would be largely served by mid-size twin-aisle aircraft, such as the B777, B787, A330 and A340 models. Boeing said that a total of 660 of these jets, which have 200 to 400 seats, would be delivered.

China had a fleet of 960 commercial aircraft as of the second quarter of 2006. Boeing controls a 61 per cent market share, with Airbus holding 28 per cent.

"We want to hold a share of between 50-60 per cent in China over the next two decades," Baseler said.

Boeing forecast that the global market for new jets would be worth US$2.6 trillion in the coming 20 years, with an annual passenger travel growth rate of 4.9 per cent and a freight growth rate of 6.1 per cent.

"We will efficiently improve our production system, while resisting the market temptation to push it beyond its limits," said Scott Carson, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"The best value we can bring customers is to keep to the commitments we have made," Carson said.

But he denied that Airbus' delayed delivery of the A380 gave Boeing an advantage in terms of winning new orders.

"We will stay focused on the execution of our existing plans," Carson said.

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