310 new orders prove eco-efficient aircraft to be high in demand
Airbus delivered a total of 498 aircraft in 2009. The figure is a new company delivery record for a single year and is 15 more aircraft than in 2008. The figure includes 402 A320 Family aircraft, 86 A330/A340s which are both records for a single year, and 10 A380s. Airbus Military, the military aircraft division of Airbus, delivered 16 light and medium transport aircraft.
Despite challenging market conditions, Airbus also reached its order intake target. Overall, Airbus won a total of 310 orders gross (271 net) valued US$34.9 billion gross (US$30.3 billion net) at list prices, or 54 per cent of the worldwide market share of aircraft beyond 100 seats.
The new orders include 228 A320 Family aircraft and 78 A330/A340/A350 XWB Family aircraft, and four new orders for the A380. Just three years after launch Airbus also surpassed the 500th order milestone for the next generation A350 XWB. At 2009 year end, Airbus had a total order backlog of 3,488 aircraft, valued at US$437.1 billion, or equalling six years of full production.
Further company streamlining saw the formation of Airbus Military, signalling the full integration of military aircraft programmes within Airbus. The maiden flight of the A400M (MSN 1) in December was a proof-point of the successful re-organisation and new programme set-up.
Conversion work for the first A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was completed, and is on track for delivery in mid 2010. The MRTT received a further incremental order for three aircraft, raising the total to 28. On the smaller transport aircraft front, the year was successful, with 19 orders from seven customers. These include one order for the C-212, two for the CN-235 and 16 for the C-295.
Airbus’ turn-around programme, Power 8 again exceeded targets, delivering new cost savings of around 2.0 billion Euros gross on a recurring basis. Power 8+ aims to add a further 650 million Euros in savings for Airbus by 2012.
“Considering the economic and financial environment we have done rather well in 2009. Great teamwork and flexibility at Airbus and a close cooperation with customers, suppliers and finance institutions were key to success. We plan to keep production at 2008/2009 levels, but we need to remain prudent and flexible. We are not out of the woods yet,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “Our prime mission in the coming weeks is to secure a solid financial footing for the A400M. After nine months of intense deliberations with our government customers, it’s time for decisions.”
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