Aerospace giant Airbus is set to lose its decade-long global number one ranking for commercial aircraft deliveries to its arch-rival Boeing.
The US group is expected to release official delivery figures later this month showing it supplied its airline customers with around 600 aircraft last year against Airbus’ forecast of 580.
It will be the first time since 2002 that Airbus, which employs 4,000 people at its Filton wing engineering pla
nt, has lost its crown to Boeing, which is now expected to occupy the number one slot until 2015 based on its order book. The US manufacturer is stepping up production of its recently-launched 787 Dreamliner after years of delay while Airbus’s rival A350 XWB (extra wide body), pictured, is yet to enter service. First deliveries the A350 will not take place until next year.
The A350 received a boost yesterday when Airbus received a repeat order from top leasing company CIT Group, which placed a firm order for 10 A350-900s. This is the second time CIT has ordered A350 XWBs and brings the lessor’s total backlog for the type to 15.
President of CIT Transportation Finance Jeffrey Knittel said: “This order for Airbus A350 XWBs will further expand our portfolio of medium-to-long haul aircraft.
“As one of the leading lessors in the world with more than 110 twin-aisle aircraft currently in our portfolio and on order, CIT Aerospace maintains one of the youngest, most fuel efficient fleets in the industry. This new order underscores our commitment to delivering highly efficient aircraft to our global customer base.”
Airbus chief operating officer, customers, John Leahy added: “We are very confident that our A350 XWB family will perfectly meet long haul operators’ needs by offering them the highest levels of comfort and efficiency.
“This repeat order for the A350 XWB from CIT clearly demonstrates this to be the case.”
Including this latest announcement, CIT has ordered a total of 253 Airbus aircraft comprising 187 A320s, 51 A330s and 15 A350 XWBs.
All Airbus wings are designed at Filton while pioneering composite wing parts for the A350 are made by GKN at its hi-tech plant at Severnside.
