CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Airbus, the aircraft manufacturing segment of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. or EADS NV (EADSY.PK, EADSF.PK), reported Thursday a 10 percent increase in deliveries for the year 2012, while adding that it exceeded its order target. The company noted that market preference for its A320neo continues.
Airbus delivered 588 aircraft in the year to 89 customers, higher than last year's 534 aircraft. 2012 was the 11th year in a row of increased production.
In single aisles, Airbus made 455 deliveries, compared to 421 aircraft in 2011. Widebody deliveries reached 103 aircraft, higher than the 87 aircraft delivered a year ago. The company stated that the increased deliveries underline the success of the A330 Family which is being produced at the highest monthly production rates ever.
The company won 914 gross orders and exceeded its order target of 650. These orders include 305 CEO, 478 A320neo, 82 A330/A340s, 40 A350 XWB and nine A380s. According to Airbus, its backlog sets a new industry-wide record of 4,682 aircraft valued at over $638 billion.
Airbus' share of total aircraft sales by value in 2012 is 41.5 percent, and net orders reached 833 aircraft worth $96 billion. These include 739 A320 Family aircraft, of which 478 are NEO, confirming its over 62 percent market dominance since launch. In the widebody market, 58 A330s and 27 A350 XWB were ordered. In the very large aircraft segment, Airbus won nine out of 10 orders demonstrating the market's preference for the A380.
Airbus Military delivered 29 aircraft and its order target was exceeded, despite difficult global conditions, reaching 32.
Airbus also said it targets recruiting some 3,000 in 2013 to support all program developments.
Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO, said, 'We delivered a record number of aircraft which highlights our increasing efficiency, and the market again demonstrated its confidence in all our products. In 2012, we delivered the first Sharklet aircraft, and with a commanding lead in the single aisle market, the dividends from our strategic decision to invest in the kind of innovation which generates value for our customers, is paying off.'
Airbus' rival Boeing (BA) is facing a tough time now as more countries, including Japan and India, ordered Thursday that all Boeing 787 Dreamliners operated by airlines in those countries be kept out of service until their battery systems are confirmed as safe. It follows a global directive by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday.
Boeing's light weight Dreamliner planes have been in high demand in commercial aviation industry, especially in Japan, since their launch in December 2009. But a series of incidents this month, including a battery fire and fuel leaks, are setback for the U.S. aircraft giant.
In Paris, EADS shares are currently trading at $33.47, up $1.03 or 3.18 percent.
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