Tag Archives: aircraft deliveries

Mixed scorecard for Airbus and Boeing in 2014: Deliveries: Airbus 629, Boeing 723, Orders: Airbus 1,456, Boeing 1,432

Airbus (Toulouse) has now released its sales results for 2014. Previously Boeing released its results for 2014. We can now compare the results for the two large manufacturers:

Airbus set a new record of 629 aircraft deliveries in 2014 for 89 customers of which eight are new, comprising 490 A320 Family aircraft, 108 A330s, 30 A380s and also our first A350 XWB. This production achievement means that Airbus’ aircraft deliveries in 2014 were up for the 13th year in a row, surpassing the previous record set in 2013.

Airbus also achieved 1,456 net orders from 67 customers (of which 14 are new) – our second best year ever, comprising 1,321 single aisle aircraft and 135 widebodies. As a result, by year end, the backlog had climbed to a new industry record of 6,386 aircraft valued at $919.3 billion at list prices.

Meanwhile Boeing, as previously reported, set a global industry record for the most commercial airplanes delivered in a single year at 723 in 2014, maintaining its position as the world’s largest airplane manufacturer for the third consecutive year.

In 2014, Boeing booked 1,432 net orders. The company also grew its backlog of unfilled commercial orders to a historic high of 5,789 airplanes.

In summary, both manufacturers can find some good news in these numbers. Clearly the recent decision by Delta to select the Airbus A330neo and the A350 over Boeing was the main deciding factor for who had the most orders in 2014.

For 2015, the battle lines are drawn.

Airbus sets new records for orders and deliveries in 2013

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this report for 2013:

Airbus exceeded commercial targets in 2013, achieving a new record of 626 aircraft deliveries (493 A320 Family aircraft, 108 A330, 25 A380) to 93 customers (15 new) and a new industry record of 1619 gross orders (377 A320ceo, 876 A320neo, 77 A330, 239 A350 XWB, 50 A380) beating the previous record in 2011 by 11 aircraft. The year was also Airbus’ most valuable gross order intake (List price $240.5 billion US). By year end, the backlog had climbed to an industry wide record of 5,559 aircraft, valued at $809 billion US at list prices, or eight years production.

Aircraft deliveries in 2013 were up for the 12^th year in a row, beating the initial target and surpassing the previous record set in 2012 (588) by an additional 38 aircraft.

At 2013 year end, Airbus commanded 51 per cent gross market share (aircraft above 100 seats). Decisions by customers to move towards larger aircraft in all segments (A321, A330-300, A350-1000 and A380) is having a positive result on revenues, complementing Airbus’ lead in both single aisle and widebody aircraft markets.

During the year the A320neo surpassed 2,600 orders while strong sales of the A320ceo continued with more than 1,000 sold since the NEO was launched. The A350 XWB had significant commercial breakthroughs especially with a first order from Japan, and the A380 coninued to dominate the Very Large Aircraft market with 50 new orders.

Signalling Airbus’ successful transformation to a more agile company, 2013 was also notable for the A350 XWB first flight. Test flights are progressing well with two aircraft having accomplished over 800 flight hours. Certification is targeted for Q3 and Entry Into Service for Q4 2014. The A330 new longer range and regional variants were launched, A330 production reached a new record high of rate 10 per month and single aisle remained stable at rate 42.

In 2013, Airbus Military delivered 31 aircraft including seven A330 MRTT and two A400M for the French Air Force, confirming the programme is well back on track.

Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Brand new test aircraft, Airbus A350-941 F-WXWB (msn 001), approaches the runway for landing at Toulouse.

WestJet to acquire 65 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

WestJet (Calgary) announced today it has entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to purchase 65 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing, consisting of 40 737 MAX 8 and 25 737 MAX 7 aircraft, with delivery scheduled to begin in September 2017.

The 737 MAX aircraft will be equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines, and is expected to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 13 per cent as compared with the most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft currently available. Additional design updates, including Boeing’s Advanced Technology winglets and the Boeing Sky Interior, will also contribute to these improvements in fuel efficiency and WestJet’s overall guest experience. Boeing currently has firm orders from five other airlines in North America for its 737 MAX aircraft.

The airline will substitute 15 of its existing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft orders currently scheduled to deliver between December 2014 and 2018, with Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, for a net increase of 50 committed deliveries to its fleet plan. Including this pending order, WestJet’s future Boeing 737 aircraft deliveries total 92, with commitments for the proposed Boeing 737 MAX 7 and MAX 8 aircraft, including substitution rights to the 737 MAX 9, scheduled for delivery from 2017 through 2027. WestJet notes that as a result of the flexibility built into its fleet plan, which includes its lease renewal options but excludes any potential sales other than the previously announced sale of 10 737 Boeing Next-Generation aircraft in 2014 and 2015, the fleet could be as large as 162 737 Boeing aircraft or as few as 120 737 Boeing aircraft a decade from now.

As a result of this pending order, WestJet now anticipates its capital expenditures to range between $210 million and $220 million for the third quarter of 2013, and between $690 million and $710 million for the full-year 2013. Previously, WestJet’s guidance was between $100 million and $110 million for the third quarter of 2013, and between $610 million and $630 million for the full-year 2013. The increase in full-year 2013 capital expenditure incorporates reduced deposits forecasted in the fourth quarter of 2013 as a result of the Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft substitutions. Including this pending order, WestJet’s cumulative aircraft capital expenditures from 2014 to 2017 will be lower than previously expected due to the substitution of 15 existing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft orders that were scheduled to deliver between December 2014 and 2018 to Boeing 737 MAX aircraft delivering in 2017 and beyond.

WestJet expects that a definitive purchase agreement will be entered into prior to September 30, 2013.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. WestJet’s current fleet consists of 103 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSA (msn 34153) approaches Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport.

WestJet: