Airbus beats order target and sets new company delivery records

verwhelming market preference for the NEO continues

Airbus delivered a company record of 588 aircraft to 89 customers (17 new) and exceeded its order target of 650 by winning 914 gross orders. These orders include 305 CEO, 478 NEO, 82 A330/A340s, 40 A350 XWB and nine A380s. Airbus’ backlog sets a new industry-wide record of 4,682 aircraft valued at over US$638 billion.

Deliveries were 10 per cent higher than the 2011 record (534) and 2012 was the 11th year in a row of increased production. In single aisles, Airbus set a new record of 455 deliveries (421 in 2011). Widebody deliveries reached a record 103 aircraft (87 in 2011), underlining the success of the A330 Family which is being produced at the highest monthly production rates ever (9.5 in 2012 rising to 10 in Spring 2013). The A380 delivery target of 30 was achieved setting a new company record for the type (26 in 2011).

Airbus’ share of total aircraft sales by value (above 100 seats) in 2012, is 41 per cent gross (41.5 per cent net). Net orders reached 833 aircraft worth US$96 billion. These include 739 A320 Family aircraft taking Airbus past the 9,000th single aisle order. Of these, 478 are NEO, confirming its over 62 per cent market dominance since launch. In the widebody market, 58 A330s and 27 A350 XWB were ordered. The A350-1000 won major endorsements from leading airlines through significant upsizing orders. In the very large aircraft segment, Airbus won nine out of 10 orders demonstrating the market’s preference for the A380.

In 2012, the A350 XWB progressed well. The final assembly line became fully operational, the structural assembly of the first A350 XWB that will fly was completed and “electrical power on” of the aircraft was accomplished.

Airbus Military had a successful year delivering 29 aircraft (20 light and medium military transport, four P-3 conversions, and five A330 MRTTs). The order target was exceeded despite difficult global conditions, reaching 32 (28 C295 and four CN235). Additionally, the A330 MRTT was selected as the preferred bidder by the Indian Government. 

The A400M progressed well with the completion of 300 hours of Function and Reliability testing leading towards civil and military certification in Q1 2013 and first delivery in Q2 2013, with a total of four deliveries by the end of the year. Currently four A400Ms are in final assembly with a further 13 in production. The military backlog stands at 220 aircraft (174 A400M, 17 MRTT, five CN235, and 20 C295 and four P-3).

Airbus recruited 5,000 employees in 2012 increasing the global employee figure to 59,000 and targets recruiting some 3,000 in 2013 to support all programme developments.

“Looking back over 2012, we can proudly say it was a fantastic year. We delivered a record number of aircraft which highlights our increasing efficiency, and the market again demonstrated its confidence in all our products. In 2012, we delivered the first Sharklet aircraft, and with a commanding lead in the single aisle market, the dividends from our strategic decision to invest in the kind of innovation which generates value for our customers, is paying off,” said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO. “We are keeping our production rates at a manageable pace, which is good for our supply chain, and bodes well for our long term profitability and bright future.”