Airbus on pace for orders record

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Airbus could have a record-setting year for aircraft orders if the jet maker keeps up its scorching sales pace.

Through the first eight months of 2011, Airbus has secured 1,015 net aircraft orders. The Toulouse, France-based company added 234 orders to its backlog in August, according to a recent update on its website.

The bulk of Airbus’ orders this year are for its single-aisle A320 aircraft, to which the company is adding new engines. Airbus has 978 net orders for the A320 family, which includes some orders for the existing jet but most orders are for the A320 new engine option, or A320Neo.

Airbus has outpaced rival the Boeing Co. in jet orders so far. Through Aug. 30, Boeing had logged 370 net orders.

Boeing’s board recently approved its move to re-engine its single-aisle 737. The Chicago-based jet maker is calling its revamped aircraft the 737 MAX. Boeing says it has 496 tentative orders for the 737 MAX. Once the orders are finalized and added to Boeing’s backlog, its jet sales for the year will be closer to Airbus’ but still behind its rival.

However, Airbus still hasn’t finalized all of its tentative deals for the A320Neo. Airbus’ sales record came in 2007 when it won 1,341 net orders. Boeing also set a sales record in 2007 with 1,413 net orders.

Airbus also said it delivered 36 aircraft in August, bringing its year-to-date delivery total to 334 aircraft. Boeing hasn’t released its August delivery figures. But the company had delivered 260 jets through July. Boeing will add two significant deliveries to that total this month with the first deliveries of the 747-8 freighter on Sept. 19 and the 787 on Sept. 26.

Boeing’s shares dropped $1.26 Tuesday to close at $62.77.