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Toulouse - Airbus has exceeded its targets for 2014, achieving a new record of 629 aircraft deliveries for 89 customers of which eight are new, comprising 490 A320 family aircraft, 108 A330s, 30 A380s and also its first A350 XWB.
This production achievement means that Airbus’ aircraft deliveries in 2014 were up for the 13th year in a row, surpassing the previous record set in 2013.
Airbus also achieved 1 456 net orders from 67 customers (of which 14 are new) – its second best year ever, comprising 1 321 single aisle aircraft and 135 widebodies.
As a result, by year end, the backlog had climbed to a new industry record of 6 386 aircraft valued at $919.3bn at list prices.
For Airbus’s South African suppliers, the record industry backlog orders for future deliveries represent sustainable advanced technology, export-oriented manufacturing and both direct and indirect jobs in the sector, according to Linden Birns, Airbus spokesperson in sub-Sahara Africa.
"The order book also signals the scale of opportunity for additional South African industrial partnerships and collaboration with Airbus," said Birns.
"At the same time, it bears out the perpetual demand for air transport and airlines’ appetite to modernise their fleets in order to extract maximum efficiencies, while providing a market-appealing product to their customers."
At 2014 year end, Airbus commanded more than 50% market share for aircraft above 100 seats. Among the sales achievements was the A330neo’s success in attracting 120 firm endorsements within just six months of its launch.
Another commercial highlight for the company was Delta’s decision to select the A330neo for its trans-Atlantic services and the A350 for its trans-Pacific routes. A third highlight of 2014 was the enduring popularity of its A320neo and ceo aircraft, which together attracted numerous orders, especially from the leasing companies.
Industrially, the clear milestone of the year was the completion of A350 XWB testing and certification culminating in the on-time delivery of the first aircraft for Qatar Airways.
"We also reached our target of delivering 30 A380s while welcoming Asiana, Qatar Airways and Etihad as new operators of this flagship aircraft. And as the A330neo development programme gains momentum, the highly popular A330ceo continues to benefit from our commitment to incremental innovation," Airbus said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Meanwhile, the A320neo programme is proceeding on track following its first flight September 2014, paving the way for certification in the third quarter and first deliveries in the fourth quarter.
“2014 has been an excellent year and the teams in Airbus not only delivered on, but exceeded their targets and commitments,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.
“Airbus also made strong progress towards a faster, simpler and more agile company, while our strategy of incremental innovation is helping to consolidate our market-leading position in all categories.”
Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer of passenger airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus has design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain and subsidiaries in the US, China, India, Japan and in the Middle East.
