THE Chinese mainland will need to add more than 2,800 passenger aircraft and freighters in the 20 years through 2026, European plane maker Airbus forecast.

The demand, valued at US$329 billion, represents 11.6 percent of the world total for more than 24,000 new aircraft during the period, it noted. China's demand for passenger aircraft is only second to the United States in the period, said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer for customers. An estimated 2,670 passenger aircraft and 130 cargo planes will be added into the mainland's fleet, according to Airbus' 2007-2008 Global Market Forecast (China).