Record orders for Airbus

Overall, Airbus won 777 net orders valued at $100 billion – a 54% market share of 100+-seater aircraft. The recently launched A350 XWB (pictured as an artist’s impression) won 163 new firm orders increasing the total to 478 from 29 customers, making it the fastest selling aircraft in aviation history. At 2008 year end, Airbus had increased its backlog to a new record of 3,715 aircraft. The company added that in 2008 it successfully completed the sale of former Airbus sites including the UK’s Filton manufacturing unit to GKN, allowing Airbus to concentrate on its core activities of aircraft architect and integrator, while capital investments, risks and benefits in developing new aircraft technologies were shared. Airbus CEO Tom Enders said: “We all know that 2009 will be a very challenging year for the aeronautics industry. At Airbus we are prepared and confident: our leadership team is aligned, our workforce is motivated again, integration is progressing well and we have a solid financial basis, thanks to our improvement programs, our prudent cash and production management, and our strong orderbook.”