Dubai: Airbus soared past US rival Boeing to win the annual orders race in 2010, new figures from the European planemaker revealed yesterday.
The EADS subsidiary said it booked 644 commercial aircraft orders worth more than $84 billion (Dh308.5 billion) at list prices last year, beating Boeing's total of 625 planes.
Airbus confirmed a net total of 574 planes worth $74 billion (Dh271.8 billion) at list prices compared with Boeing's 530, giving it a 52 per cent market share.
Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO, said: "The year 2010 was a good one — in fact better than we expected 12 months ago. The market rebound and improved programme performance have been particularly encouraging.
"However, with plenty of challenges, especially in our development programmes, we will have to work hard to further improve and also make 2011 a successful year for Airbus.
"This is the result of strong airline demand for new and more eco-efficient aircraft. We respond to our customer's requests by introducing the right technologies at the right time as per the launch of the A320neo (new engine option)."
Airbus launched the A320neo last year, which the company says offers 15 per cent less fuel burn, the equivalent of saving up to 3,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per aircraft per year.
In total, Airbus delivered 510 aircraft in 2010, including 401 of the A320 family, 91 A330/A340s and 18 A380s. At year-end, the company's commercial order backlog stood at 3,552 aircraft with a value of over $480 billion at list prices. The military backlog stood at 247 aircraft.
John Siddharth, Industry Analyst, Aerospace and Defence Practice, South Asia And Middle East, at Frost and Sullivan, said: "Airbus has sold about 644 aircraft and about 200 [of them] were sold in December 2010, which is a big surprise.
"Airbus is full of surprises. For example, earlier this year it closed the biggest deal in aviation history of about 180 aircraft. As of November 2010, Airbus was lagging behind by about 142 aircraft. However, it was able to rebound.
"Airbus and Boeing are focusing on emerging markets, which include the Asia-Pacific and China. Out of the three low-cost carriers in India, two operate all Airbus fleets. Airbus has gained a competitive edge by introducing its 15 per cent fuel-efficient A320neo much ahead of the competition."
Airbus also announced its 10,000th order yesterday with a firm contract from Virgin America for 60 A320s, including 30 A320neo aircraft. Virgin America is the first airline to order the A320neo, formalising an initial commitment given at the Farnborough Airshow last July. The A320s will feature fuel-saving large wingtip devices called Sharklets.
David Cush, Virgin America President and CEO, said: "The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon efficient design of our all-new Airbus A320 fleet has helped fuel our growth and success in the North American market and we are confident the A320neo will only build on that."
Air India to expand fleet
Air India Ltd, India's flag carrier, has sought bids to lease as many as 40 Airbus and Bombardier aircraft as it expands its fleet to benefit from rising air travel in the nation. The carrier wants to lease 10 Airbus A320s, 10 A330s and as many as 20 CRJ-700 planes, according to tenders on its website. The Bombardier tender was posted on Friday.
India's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in December approved an infusion of Rs12 billion (Dh966 million) in Air India in an attempt to turn around the airline. IndiGo, a New Delhi-based discount carrier, last week signed a preliminary agreement with Airbus to purchase 180 aircraft worth $15 billion at list price — the biggest order in commercial aviation history.
State-run Air India plans to expand its fleet to as many as 286 aircraft and connect 60 major cities, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in July. The airline has 135 passenger planes and nine cargo jets, its website says.
Air India's market share declined to 17.1 per cent in November from 18.8 per cent a year earlier, according to data provided by the ministry. The airline had long-term debt of Rs347.2 billion in the fiscal year ended in March 2009, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told parliament in November. India's economic growth of 8.9 per cent in the quarter ended September 30 made it the world's second-fastest-growing major economy. Domestic air traffic may surge fourfold to 180 million passengers annually by 2020.
