Airbus shows strong results with a record order book
By The Associated Press
General Aerospace airbusThe European aerospace and defence giant says it expects to deliver more than 650 aircraft this year.
PARIS — Airbus says earnings grew 15 per cent last year as airlines’ demand for the European aerospace and defence giant’s A320 and A330 jets helped boost deliveries and top arch-rival Boeing in the race for new orders.
Airbus made 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion) last year, up from 2.3 billion euros in 2014, the company said Wednesday. And 2016 will prove to be equally strong as Airbus kicked off the year with 16 aircraft orders booked in January.
The maker of the A380 super-jumbo says it expects to deliver more than 650 aircraft this year, up from 635 in 2015. It also forecast a growing order book in 2016, a year after it took in 1,080 orders, well over Boeing’s 768.
Lufthansa became launch customer for Airbus’ best-selling A320neo. Left to right: David Hess, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Aerospace, for United Technologies; Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG; and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.
The main highlight of Airbus’ deliveries in January 2016 was the very first A320neo that went to Lufthansa, the launch customer of the best-selling, fuel efficient single-aisle aircraft. Airbus handed over a total of 22 aircraft in January to 18 customers, comprising 17 A320 Family, 4 A330s and one A380.
Airbus and Boeing have prospered in recent years as suddenly flush airlines ordered hundreds of planes.
© 2016 The Assocaited Press
