Boeing has predicted that India will need 1,850 new aeroplanes over the next two decades, costing an estimated $265bn. 

The estimate was released by the aeroplane maker at its annual Current Market Outlook (CMO) for India event in Mumbai. 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes senior vice-president for Asia Pacific and India Sales Dinesh Keskar said: “India continues to have a strong commercial aerospace market and the highest domestic traffic growth in the world.

“With the new aviation policies in place, we see even greater opportunities and remain confident in the market and the airlines in India.” 

"We see even greater opportunities and remain confident in the market and the airlines in India."

The CMO forecast that single-aisle aeroplanes such as the Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX will continue to have the the largest share in new deliveries, with airlines in the country requiring around 1,560 aircraft.

The single-aisle aeroplanes will continue to support the growth of low-cost carriers and will replace older, less-efficient aircraft.

Keskar added: “Boeing’s strong orders and deliveries for the Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX underscore how we are meeting our customers’ demands and expectations, offering them the most fuel efficient, reliable and capable airplanes.

“We also continue to be the preferred choice for widebody airplanes in India, with more than 85% of the market share.”  

Among the other highlights in the CMO include that traffic growth in the country remains the highest in the world at 8.6%, domestic passenger traffic increased 21% from 2015 and low-cost carrier airlines represent more than 60% of all flights.