TOULOUSE, Jan 17, 2011 – Europe\’s Airbus remained the world\’s biggest planemaker in 2010, beating US rival Boeing, and plans to increase new deliveries next year, company chairman Tom Anders told reporters.
Anders said Airbus had delivered 510 planes last year and won 574 orders, and now planned to deliver between 520 and 530 this year.
"2010 was a good year, in fact better than expected twelve months ago. The market rebound and improved programme performance has been particularly encouraging," said Tom Enders, Airbus chairman and chief executive.
Boeing, Airbus\’ sole true rival in the global airliner market, won 530 orders and delivered 462 planes last year.
Airbus said its aircraft production set a new company record for the ninth year in a row, and said that the value of its new orders exceeded $84 billion (63 billion euros) at list prices.
"With plenty of challenges, especially in our development programmes, we\’ll have to work hard to further improve and also make 2011 a successful year for Airbus," said Enders, briefing reporters at his Toulouse headquarters.
"This is the result of strong airline demand for new and more eco-efficient aircraft," he said. "We respond to our customer\’s requests by introducing the right technologies at the right time as per the launch of the A320neo."
The A320 series of small airliners is one of Airbus\’ most successful models, and the "neo" version has new engines designed to boost fuel efficiency.
