Airbus beat Boeing in jet orders, deliveries in 2010

Airbus landed 574 net orders for aircraft in 2010, besting its rival the Boeing Co., the company said on Monday.

The European jet maker also beat its previous record for commercial jet deliveries in a year, handing over 510 aircraft to customers last year. Airbus had delivered 498 jets in 2009, its previous production record.

“2010 was a good year, in fact better than expected twelve months ago,” said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO. “The market rebound and improved programme performance has been particularly encouraging.”

Boeing reported its 2010 year end totals earlier this month. The Chicago-based company delivered 462 aircraft and posted 530 net orders.

Airbus had trailed Boeing in orders most of the year. But the Toulouse, France-based company finalized several orders in the last month. Altogether, the company booked 644 gross orders. Airbus ended the year with 452 orders for its A320 single-aisle aircraft; 160 orders for its A330 and A350 family of jets and 32 orders for the A380 superjumbo jet.

For 2011, Airbus is expecting again a further increase in deliveries and a book-to-bill ratio above one.

“This is the result of strong airline demand for new and more eco-efficient aircraft,” Enders said. “We respond to our customer’s requests by introducing the right technologies at the right time as per the launch of the A320(new engine option).”