Monday, 6 October 2014

Airbus Updates No.1204

ORDERS & DELIVERIES

A300
A310816

A32010,991

A330
A340
A350 XWB2,481

A380318

Orders as of 30 September 201414,606

THE MONTH IN REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 2014

The continued market demand for Airbus’ product line of widebody and single-aisle jetliners was underscored by the 76 orders logged during September for its A320ceo (current engine option) and A320neo (new engine option) families, along with the A330ceo, while the company maintained its 2014 delivery pace with 54 aircraft provided to international customers.

Leading the month’s single-aisle bookings was easyJet’s order for 27 additional current engine option A320s, taking this carrier’s combined total order for the type to 315 aircraft – and continuing it as an all-Airbus operator.

SWISS, which is a member-airline of the Lufthansa Group, will expand its fleet with 10 A320neo and 5 A321neo jetliners, with these fuel-efficient aircraft gradually renewing and replacing SWISS’ existing fleet of A320 Family aircraft.

In another September booking, the Lufthansa Group’s supervisory board approved the purchase of 10 A320ceo aircraft for its Eurowings subsidiary. These jetliners are to become the backbone of the new low cost business model announced by the Lufthansa Group in July 2014, which foresees Eurowings operations on direct connections within Europe.

Completing the month’s single-aisle transactions were eight Qatar Airways Group A320ceo aircraft, along with four A319ceo jetliners for Z/C Aviation Partners.

For Airbus’ widebody A330 product line, the September results included International Airlines Group’s decision to convert eight previously-announced A330-200 options into firm orders for Spanish flag carrier Iberia, which will become a new operator of this version. Iberia’s all-Airbus fleet already includes eight A330-300s, and its new -200s will be delivered from the end of 2015.

Also reflected in the month’s new business was the transaction with Air Algérie for three A330-200s, to be deployed as part of the carrier’s continued growth plans. Completing the activity was an ACJ330-200 corporate jet order for a private customer.

Taking cancellations into account, Airbus’ net orders for 2014 totalled 791 aircraft at the end of September.

The month’s deliveries involved 42 A320 Family jetliners, eight A330s and four A380s. This included the first A320 provided for Vistara Airlines – a promising Indian start-up carrier – which was delivered via lessor BOC Aviation. Also during September, seven A320 family aircraft were provided for U.S.-based American Airlines.

Among the month’s A380 deliveries was the initial aircraft for Qatar Airways. The September handovers brought the total number of A380s provided to customers so far in 2014 to 21.

Taking into account the September orders and deliveries activity, Airbus completed the month with a backlog of 5,907 aircraft – another industry record.