Airbus Updates No.1544

ORDERS & DELIVERIES

A300
A310816

A32012,714

A330
A340
A350 XWB2,825

A380319

Orders as of 31 July 201616,674

THE MONTH IN REVIEW: JULY 2016

Airbus booked orders for 146 single-aisle and widebody aircraft in July, including some headline-making announcements at the Farnborough International Airshow for the A320neo and A350 XWB product lines. Forty-one jetliners from the A320, A330 and A350 XWB families were delivered to customers during the month.

Leading the new business transactions was the acquisition by Synergy Aerospace Corporation – the largest shareholder of Colombia-based Avianca and owner of Avianca Brasil – for 62 A320neo (new engine option) Family aircraft. This order brings total Airbus aircraft sold in the rapidly-growing Latin American market to more than 1,000, as the A320neo becomes the basis for Avianca Brasil’s fleet renewal and network growth strategy.

Other A320 Family orders logged in July included a combination of 15 A321ceo (current engine option) and 15 A321neo versions from U.S. carrier JetBlue in an agreement that allows for the flexibility to configure the NEO aircraft in Airbus’ longer-range A321LR version; and 25 A320neo jetliners purchased by Europe’s Germania Group (along with 15 options).

Also during the month, Allegiant signed for 12 A320ceo jetliners, marking this U.S.-based airline’s first purchase of new-build aircraft, and representing another step towards its transition to an all-Airbus fleet by 2019. 

Heading up the widebody orders in July was Virgin Atlantic Airways’ acquisition of eight A350-1000s for deliveries commencing in 2019. The UK carrier is a new customer for the A350 XWB, and its decision to position this highly efficient Airbus jetliner as its future flagship also includes bringing in four new A350 XWB aircraft on long-term leases from Air Lease Corporation, along with a lease option for a fifth.

Included as well in Airbus’ July new widebody business was the decision by Ireland’s Aer Lingus to exercise options for two more A330-300s. In addition, Cebu Pacific placed an order for two A330-300s, which will join the Philippines airline’s existing fleet of six A330s flying on long-haul and selected regional and domestic routes.

Taking cancellations into account, Airbus net orders logged during the first six months of 2016 totaled 323 aircraft (composed of 79 A320/A321ceo, 176 A319/A320/A321neo, 21 A330ceo, 14 A330neo and 33 A350 XWB jetliners).

Among the 36 A320 Family aircraft delivered by Airbus in July was the first A320neo powered by CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines, received by Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines. Two A320neo versions equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G-JM engines were provided: one each to India’s IndiGo and Germany’s Lufthansa. 

Also handed over to customers during July were three A350-900s (delivered to Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines), and two A330s.

With the month’s orders and deliveries activity, Airbus’ backlog totaled 6,815 airliners as of 31 July.