Airbus orders top 1,000 through August

Published 12:22 pm Tuesday, September 6, 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 won 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 many for the A320 new engine option, or A320Neo.

Airbus has outpaced rival the Boeing Co. in jet orders so far. Boeing had logged 370 net orders through Aug. 30. Boeing typically updates its website on Thursdays.

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 1,458 orders.