China accounts for nearly a quarter of the European aircraft maker's deliveries, with 158 delivered to China last year. Airbus has increased its 20-year forecast for aircraft demand in China by 500 jets due to the country 's middle class and private consumption . The aircraft maker expects total demand for around 6,000 passenger jets worth about $ 1tn over the next 20 years in China . " Domestic passenger traffic in mainland China has doubled over the last 10 years , and is set to become the world 's number one aviation market , " said Michael Leahy , Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers . At the same time , local Chinese competitors Airbus and AVIC are looking to take on the foreign giants , developing single - aisle and wide - body designs with the explicit support of the Beijing government .
Airbus has increased its 20-year forecast for aircraft demand in China by 500 jets due to the country 's middle class and private consumption . The aircraft maker expects total demand for around 6,000 passenger jets worth about $ 1tn over the next 20 years in China . " Domestic passenger traffic in mainland China has doubled over the last 10 years , and is set to become the world 's number one aviation market , " said Michael Leahy , Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers . At the same time , local Chinese competitors Airbus and AVIC are looking to take on the foreign giants , developing single - aisle and wide - body designs with the explicit support of the Beijing government .