Airbus sets record for aircraft deliveries
These 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 $996.3 billion at list prices.
Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO said: “This commercial and industrial performance unequivocally proves that global demand for our aircraft has remained resilient.” He adds: “In 2015 Airbus has also laid firm foundations for the future, increasing the capability and variety of the aircraft which we can offer to our customers.”
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 programme 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. On the other side of the globe in China, additional orders for the A330 not only complements our plans for a new A330 completion and delivery centre in Tianjin, but also helps to smooth our transition towards the A330neo. Airbus also launched three new incremental aircraft developments in 2015 which included the Long-Range version of the A321neo, the Regional version of the A330 (optimised 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 has increased the average list prices of its aircraft by 1.1 per cent across the product line, effective from January 1st 2016. The 1.1% price increase has been calculated according to Airbus’ standard escalation formula over the January 2015 to January 2016 period and takes into account the drop in materials and commodities prices.
“Our new 2016 price increase reflects the strong appetite from customers around the globe for Airbus’ comprehensive, modern and innovative product range,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We see demand for our aircraft continuing to grow across all size categories as our reliable, efficient product line enables customers to grow their businesses profitably as well as being favoured by passengers who want to travel in the most comfortable cabins.”