Boeing China President Landon Loomis: 40 Suppliers in China; Tens of Thousands of Boeing Aircraft Flying Daily Worldwide Are Equipped with Chinese Components

On June 21, Landon Loomis, the U.S. representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and President of Boeing China, stated at the APEC Business Leaders China Forum that tens of thousands of Boeing aircraft take to the skies daily around the world, all of which are equipped with Chinese components. Boeing has 40 suppliers in China, serving as a typical example of supply chain connectivity, with China playing a highly significant role.

"Every Boeing aircraft has Chinese components"

At the forum, Loomis shared a set of compelling data: currently, 14,000 Boeing aircraft are in the air every day, carrying 11 million passengers daily, and over the past 30 years, they have transported a cumulative total of 4 billion people. He emphasized that tens of thousands of Boeing aircraft flying daily worldwide are all equipped with Chinese components. In terms of supply chain cooperation, Boeing has established 40 supporting suppliers in China, forming a mature and stable supply system. According to relevant reports, companies such as AVIC Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group have long achieved mass supply of key components such as vertical tails. Loomis noted that this is a typical example of supply chain connectivity, highlighting the critical role China plays in the global aviation industry chain.

Two major projects in China: Shanghai hangar and Zhoushan delivery center

Loomis specifically highlighted two recently launched cooperative projects as examples of the close ties between the U.S. and Chinese aviation industries.

On June 17, the new Boeing Shanghai hangar was officially inaugurated. The hangar can simultaneously accommodate four wide-body aircraft and two narrow-body aircraft (some reports state it can accommodate six passenger aircraft for inspection and modification), making it the largest single-span hangar in Asia. Loomis stated that this project was the result of collaboration with numerous Chinese enterprises and government agencies, and would not have been possible without such cooperation.

Another key project is the Boeing 737 Completion and Delivery Center in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province. The center undertakes the tasks of completing fuselage finishing, interior installation, and delivering aircraft manufactured in the United States to customers in China and around the world. Boeing leverages its expertise in China to expand its global footprint.

Asia-Pacific aviation market: 60% of global new aircraft deliveries over the next 20 years

Regarding the future prospects of the Asia-Pacific market, Loomis stated that APEC plays a vital role in global connectivity efforts. He projected that over the next 20 years, 60% of global new aircraft deliveries will take place in APEC economies. Over the past two decades, global passenger traffic has tripled, with the APEC region experiencing the fastest growth.

Looking ahead to the next 20 years, passenger and cargo traffic in the APEC region is expected to double. Loomis noted that Boeing holds a 90% market share in the global cargo sector, and with e-commerce having doubled in size over the past decade, an increasing volume of goods is being transported by air—an area from which Boeing significantly benefits.

He emphasized that Boeing serves billions of passengers worldwide and consistently focuses on connectivity, as it is fundamental to safety and service quality. The aviation industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and recovery, having resumed its growth trajectory. As more people gain access to air travel, the industry needs to invest in economically viable new aircraft models to effectively connect cities.