Foreign

Airbus hits new record aircraft deliveries in 2010

By Tao Wenge (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-01-20 14:10

Airbus has increased its production output for the ninth year in a row and achieved a new company record of 510 commercial aircraft deliveries to 94 customers.

Deliveries included 401 A320 Family aircraft, 91 A330/A340s and 18 A380s. In its military division, Airbus delivered 20 light and medium military and transport aircrafts (CN235 and C295), exceeding the 2009 figure by four.

Airbus booked 644 commercial aircraft orders (574 net) in 2010. The value of the new orders surpassed $84 billion gross ($74 billion net) at list prices. That represents 51 percent of the 2010 gross worldwide market share of aircrafts with more than 100 seats (52% net). Airbus earned 21 new orders for its military aircrafts (CN235 and C295).

The new commercial orders include 452 A320 Family aircraft, 160 A330/A340/A350 XWB Family aircraft, and 32 new orders for the A380. At the end of 2010, Airbus' commercial-order book backlog featured 3,552 aircrafts valued at over $480 billion at list price, which is equivalent six years of full production. The military backlog stood at 247 aircrafts.

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In 2010, Airbus launched the A320neo (new engine option), which burns 15 percent less fuel − a savings of up to 3,600 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft per year.

The A350 XWB continued its strategic campaigns during 2010, boosting the total orders for the family to 583 and the number of customers to 36 by the end of the year. On the industrial side, 2010 saw the start of manufacturing of the first A350 XWB components and sub assemblies at section level. The systems test rig (Iron Bird) for the A350 XWB started operations in December.

The A400M program is delivering results with four development aircrafts taking flight. It accomplished more than 1,000 flight hours in over 300 test flights. The start of the A400M series production is imminent, and company officials expect the civil certification to be obtained before the end of the year.

The A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft achieved civil and military certification in 2010. Five are flying with another four undergoing conversion. Delivery of the first two MRTTs to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is in the final stages.

Airbus' Power 8 program exceeded both its EBIT and cash saving targets. Power 8+ will continue this momentum.