Airbus beat its U.S. rival Boeing in order intakes and backlog for 2015, but lagged on deliveries. Airbus completed 635 aircraft deliver...
Airbus beat its U.S. rival Boeing in order intakes and backlog for 2015, but lagged on deliveries. Airbus completed 635 aircraft deliveries, while Boeing achieved 762 deliveries.
Airbus deliveries comprise: 491 A320 Family aircraft; 103 A330s; 27 A380s; and 14 A350 XWBs. This production achievement means that Airbus’ aircraft deliveries in 2015 were up for the 13th year in a row, surpassing the previous year-end delivery record of 629 aircraft – set in 2014.
Airbus also achieved 1,036 net orders from 53 customers (of which eight are new), comprising 897 single-aisle aircraft and 139 widebodies.
At 2015 year-end the overall backlog had climbed to a new industry record of 6,787 aircraft valued at US$996.3 billion at list prices.
Overall, 2015 has been a year of solid and wide-ranging Airbus accomplishments. For example, the A320neo was certified by the aviation authorities on both sides of the Atlantic just five years after its launch.
In addition, Airbus delivered 14 A350s – making good its pledge to the airlines who are now benefitting from the world’s most efficient and advanced airliner.
Important progress was also made on the A350 programme’s next variant, the A350-1000 – whose major components and structures are now taking shape across various production sites. Likewise, parts are now in production for the first A330neo – with the machining of its first engine pylon and centre wing-box components.
In addition, there has been good news for the flagship A380, 10 years after its first flight, with the program breaking-even for the first time.
Another notable highlight was of course September’s official opening of the first Airbus factory in the US, at Mobile on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, where between 40 and 50 A320 Family aircraft will be produced annually by 2018.
Furthermore, in 2015 Airbus launched three new incremental aircraft developments which include: the Long-Range version of the A321neo which will offer true transatlantic operation; the Regional version of the A330 which is optimized to seat up to 400 passengers on missions up to 3,000nm; and the Ultra-Long-Range version of the A350-900, capable of 19-hour flights.
Airbus's Chinese A320 Family final assembly line at Tianjin delivered a new record total of 50 aircraft in 2015. Planning also is moving ahead for Tianjin’s new cabin completion and delivery centre, starting with the A330 based on orders received from China last year for A330ceo (Current Engine Option) jetliners, according to Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier.
Airbus’ goal for 2016 is to deliver on its ambitious production expansion/ramp-up strategy, setting a target of delivering more than 650 aircraft to customers during the 12 months.
This objective includes the continued upswing in A320 Family production during 2016, reaching an output rate of 50 per month by early 2017 and subsequently going to 60 monthly by mid-2019; along with the delivery of at least 50 A350s in 2016 (compared to 14 in 2015).
Airbus is looking to attain another break-even year for the A380 in 2016, providing a number similar to the 27 delivered in 2015; while A330ceo production will level at a rate of six per month as the transition is made to the A330neo (New Engine Option).
The first A350-1000 version of the A350 XWB will enter the final assembly line next month, enabling its first flight before year-end; while final assembly line activity for the initial A330neo is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016.
