Airbus beats Boeing in 2015 order race

Airbus beats Boeing in 2015 order race
By admin


European planemaker Airbus has beaten Boeing in the race for new business last year, swelling its total order book to a record $US1 trillion, but remained behind on deliveries as Boeing extended its lead as the world’s largest jetmaker.

The planemaking division of Airbus Group grabbed 1,036 net plane orders after cancellations, it said on Tuesday, down 29 per cent from 2014, compared with Boeing’s tally of 768, a fall of 46 per cent.

Both planemakers experienced a slowdown after two years of heavy orders, amid concerns over the impact of economic jitters and low oil prices on demand for fuel-saving jets.

Despite that, deliveries of popular models grew, reflecting industry forecasts of persistent growth in traffic.

Airbus hit a company record of 635 deliveries and predicted over 650 in 2016, with new orders again exceeding deliveries.

Boeing said last week its deliveries rose 5 per cent to 762 jets, an industry record.

Combined deliveries came in a whisker below 1400, having doubled in the past decade, and Airbus chief Fabrice Bregier said the latest data showed the market was “resilient”.

Airlines “do not expect oil prices to stay low forever,” he said.

However, Airbus dropped to its lowest overall share of deliveries against Boeing – 45 per cent – since 2002, and its lowest share of wide-body deliveries – 35 per cent – since 2001, after its rival pumped up deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner.

In a boost to the slow-selling A380, the world’s largest passenger jet, Airbus said it had won an order for three of the double-deckers from a “global leading airline”.

Japan’s Nikkei reported this month Japan’s biggest carrier ANA Holdings Inc (9202.T) was set to buy three of the jets.

As planemakers target further production increases, tensions meanwhile surfaced between Airbus and some top suppliers.

Sales chief John Leahy blamed US engine maker Pratt & Whitney for a delay in the first delivery of the new A320neo, while Bregier publicly told France’s Zodiac Aerospace to pull up its socks following seat production delays.

Airbus also expects to deliver “at least 50” of the new A350 jets in 2016.

Image credit: iStock

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]