Airbus shatters its order records

The year is starting very well for Airbus as the European aircraft manufacturer breaks the order record for 2023.

Airbus has never recorded such a figure: 2,094 net orders, well above the previous record which dates back to 2013, a little over ten years ago, as revealed by the aircraft manufacturer on Thursday January 11. At the time, the European aircraft manufacturer had recorded 1,500. By net orders, we mean all contracts actually signed, therefore excluding the cancellations of certain initial commitments.

Success is based on single-aisle aircraft, narrow-body aircraft, with an aisle from end to end of the cabin and a row of several seats on each side. Lighter aircraft, whose passenger capacity does not resemble flying liners, and which companies can use on a greater number of destinations depending on load plans. In this category, we find the A320 and 321 family whose success has never been so high.

Environmental objectives

It is the desire to respect decarbonization objectives that pushes all global airlines to renew their fleets. Hence the record orders. The aviation sector is committed to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050. All companies are faced with this objective of reducing their environmental footprint but with global air traffic expected to double by this 2050 deadline. Therefore, to ensure this growth which must be “clean”, companies strive to reserve as soon as possible the devices which meet the specifications.

Ensuring production rates is a question that occupies Airbus management at all levels. The aircraft manufacturer has 18,000 suppliers, some of whom are still weakened by supply difficulties and inflation. Airbus rehired 13,000 people last year and 13,000 are due to be rehired this year.

This dynamic for Airbus comes at a time when American competitor Boeing is embroiled in a new crisis with its 737Max which saw a door tear off during takeoff last week, without causing any casualties. At Airbus we don’t count points unkindly because an operator who loses money means the entire sector is penalized. The misfortune of one person does not make the happiness of others.