Airbus sees more buys from Asian companies

SINGAPORE: Airbus SAS, the world's biggest plane maker, raised its Asia-Pacific demand forecast about 4 percent as economic growth in China makes air travel affordable for more people.

Carriers in the region will buy about 8,000 planes worth $1.2 trillion over 20 years, Airbus said in a statement at the Singapore Air Show yesterday. The plane maker earlier forecast demand for 7,672 planes seating 100 passengers or more.

China, the world's most populous country, will likely account for about a third of Asia-Pacific orders in the period, according to Airbus, which operates an assembly line in the country. Region-wide air travel will grow at a pace of 5.9 percent a year, according to Airbus, as rising wages and market liberalization spurs demand.