Airbus breaks delivery record in 2012

Airbus sold nine more A380s in 2012

Airbus delivered a company record 588 aircraft in 2012.

The European planemaker exceeded its previous record total of 534 deliveries by 10%, with new aircraft provided to 89 customers, 17 of which were receiving Airbus jets for the first time.

The company also exceeded its order target of 650, winning 914 new orders in 2012. These comprised 305 standard A320s, 478 A320neos, 82 A330s/A340s, 40 A350s and nine A380s.

The strong year was not enough to beat Boeing however, which has already revealed that it delivered 601 aircraft last year, and took orders for more than 1,200.

“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,” said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus’ president & 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.”

Airbus’ wide-body aircraft deliveries reached a record 103 aircraft in 2012 (87 in 2011), while a record 30 A380s were delivered (26 in 2011), including the first aircraft to Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.

By Mark Elliott, 18 January 2013, Friday 4:25 AM