1998: A Multiple Record Year for Airbus Industrie (Jan. 11)
In 1998, Airbus Industrie achieved several major commercial records in terms of firm order intake, deliveries and backlog. With 556 firm orders worth $39.0 billion, Airbus Industrie surpassed last year's record by some 30 percent in terms of sales value and almost 20 percent in aircraft units. In 1997, Airbus Industrie obtained 460 orders, with $29.6 billion. The 1998 total firm orders furthermore represent the equivalent of the consortium's total sales during its first 17 years of existence. In addition to these 556 orders for which firm and enforceable contracts have been signed, Airbus received an additional 174 announced commitments in 1998, raising the total to 730. In 1998, sales were secured from 36 customers, including 14 that had not previously directly purchased Airbus Industrie aircraft. The sales cover the entire product line, with 437 going to the single-aisle A319/A320/A321 Family -- which remains the fastest selling airliner family ever; 87 for the A330/A340 widebody aircraft; and 32 aircraft from the A300/A310 family. Major sales achievements were recorded in Latin and Northern America, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. In Asia, Airbus Industrie continued to further its presence in spite of the well-known current difficult economic situation for airlines in the region. A total of 229 aircraft coming from the production lines in both Toulouse and Hamburg -- a 26 percent increase over 1997 -- were delivered on schedule and to specification in 1998. This represents a turnover for the year of $13.3 billion, compared to $11.6 billion the previous year. This includes 168 single-aisle aircraft (compared to 127 in 1997) and 61 widebodies (55 in 1997). Numerous operators also added second-hand Airbus Industrie aircraft to their fleets last year, demonstrating the strong residual value and operating economics of the airframes. By the end of 1998, the total number of Airbus Industrie operators had risen 10 percent to 160. Airbus Industrie's order book now totals 3,203 firm orders valued at some $196.8 billion, while total deliveries stand at 1,894 aircraft. The manufacturer's year-end backlog of 1,309 aircraft -- worth some $92.7 billion -- has doubled in three years, both in terms of numbers and value, and is the highest ever achieved by the consortium in its 30 years of existence. This represents over four years of production at its partners' and subcontractors' facilities, where some 140,000 people are directly involved in Airbus Industrie aircraft programs. Recently launched programs such as the Airbus Corporate Jetliner and the A340-500/-600 continued to make significant inroads into the market, contributing to the order book increase. Airbus Industrie also was able to go to the market with the A318, which is due to be launched shortly. Similarly, work has continued on the A3XX project, and significant progress on the aircraft design has been achieved -- with major elements now frozen. Having established an outstanding reputation as a highly competitive commercial aircraft manufacturer, Airbus Industrie's stated goal is to maintain its strong share of approximately half the commercial market while improving profitability and ensuring that its products, service and support meet and exceed customers' expectations.
-ends- 1998: A Multiple Record Year for Airbus Industrie (Jan. 11)
