Airbus falls behind on orders this year

Published 12:01 am Thursday, April 7, 2011

Over the first three months of the year, Airbus logged just one net order for aircraft, compared to the 88 net orders Boeing added to its backlog through March 29.

Airbus added 29 new orders, bringing its gross orders total to 69, the company said Wednesday. However, the Toulouse, France-based company has lost 68 orders so far this year. The bulk of cancellations that Airbus has recorded so far are for its A320, with 43. The company also has dropped orders for 13 A330 family aircraft and 12 A350 XWB jets.

Airbus’ rival, the Boeing Co., had 88 net orders and 135 gross orders through March 29. Airbus updates its order tally on its Web site monthly, while Boeing updates each Thursday.

While Airbus looks like it’s behind in the orders race for the moment, the company has several deals that have been announced but not completed, including an order for 30 A320s from Germany’s Lufthansa and up to 100 A320s from International Lease Finance Corp.

Airbus has delivered 119 aircraft through the end of March. Boeing had delivered 61 aircraft through the end of February but has not updated its March delivery tally.

Boeing revealed Qatar Airways as the customer of five 777s on Friday. Boeing had listed Qatar’s order for three 777 freighters as belonging to an unidentified customer in 2010. Qatar’s order for two 777-300 Extended Range jets was attributed to an unidentified customer earlier this year.

Also Wednesday, Airbus said it has shaved six months off the delivery of its updated A320 jet. The A320 new engine option, or A320neo, will enter commercial service in October 2015, rather than in early 2016, Airbus said.

Airbus says its A320neo will save customers 15 percent in fuel efficiency. The jet maker has 300 commitments, some still tentative, for the updated A320.