Airbus grabs record number of orders in 2011
European aircraft maker Airbus captured a record number of orders for new commercial jets last year, taking in 1,419 orders worth $140 billion.
Airbus soared past Chicago-based rival Boeing Co.’s total of 805 aircraft in 2011 and its previous record of 1,413 net orders in 2007.
The big seller for Airbus with 1,226 bookings was the upcoming A320neo, which is a new fuel-sipping version of its bestselling jet -- the A320. Airbus plans on delivering the first one in 2015.
In 2011, Airbus said it delivered a total of 534 aircraft.
The company plans on hitting a target of 570 deliveries during 2012, but foresees commercial orders dropping more than 50% to between 600 and 650.
Even so, Airbus wants to hit an all-time production high of 42 aircraft a month in 2012 of the single-aisle A320. It also wants to meet a monthly goal of 9.5 wide-body twin-engine A330s and produce three of its double-decker A380 super jumbo jets each month.
The production increase should bode well for Airbus suppliers in the U.S., more than 100 of which are in California. For the last three years, the company, which is based in Toulouse, France, has increased its spending in the U.S. to $10 billion.
“The continuous ramp-up to unprecedented production rates in all programs will demand a strong focus on the supply chain and our own delivery capabilities,” Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders said in a statement. “The hiring of more than 4,000 skilled people in 2012 will further support achieving this goal.”
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