Airbus has increased production for the ninth year in a row and had a company record last year, with 510 commercial aircraft deliveries to 94 customers.

These included 401 A320 Family aircraft, 91 A330/A340s, and 18 A380s.

In the military division, it delivered 20 light and medium military and transport aircraft, exceeding the 2009 figure by four.

In 2010, Airbus booked 644 commercial aircraft orders, valued at more than $84 billion. This represents a 51-percent share of the global market by units, of aircraft with more than 100 seats. It got 21 new orders for its military aircraft.

The new commercial orders include 452 A320 Family aircraft, 160 A330/A340/A350 XWB Family aircraft, and 32 A380s.

At the end of 2010, Airbus had a commercial backlog of 3,552 aircraft, valued at over $480 billion, the same as six full years of production. The military backlog stood at 247.

Also in 2010, Airbus revealed its A320neo, which burns 15 per cent less fuel. That is the equivalent of 3,600 tons of carbon-dioxide emissions saving per year.

The A350 XWB continued to win in 2010, pushing total orders for that family to 583, and the number of customers to 36.

The A400M program is delivering results with four developmental aircraft flying. It logged more than 1,000 flight hours in test flights. A400M series production is set to begin and civil certification is expected before the end of this year.

The A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) got its civil and military certification in 2010. Five are flying, and a further four are undergoing conversion. Delivery of the first two MRTTs to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is in its final stages.

"2010 was a good year, in fact, better than expected 12 months ago. However, with plenty of challenges, especially in our development programs, we'll have to work hard to improve and make 2011 a successful year for Airbus," said Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders.

(China Daily 01/27/2011 page14)