Regional markets will continue to grow rapidly as ties within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) strengthen, stimulating business and leisure travel. New, efficient airplanes with improved capabilities and lower operating costs are integral to carriers' business strategies. Southeast Asian airlines have dramatically increased their airplane orders to meet growing demand and to open new, direct, long-range markets. In fact, more than half of the region's forecast 2,460 single-aisle airplane deliveries over the next 20 years are already on order
Relaxation of market regulations among ASEAN countries has removed many traditional barriers to growth. And flights among ASEAN capital cities have increased, marking an intermediate step in the path to a unified regional aviation market. Several carriers are aggressively expanding into new markets by acquiring or partnering with other carriers in Southeast Asia and surrounding regions. Governments and airport authorities in the region are eager to expand their aviation infrastructures and capitalize on increased trade and tourism.