Airbus strengthened its global leadership in 2023
Airbus has confirmed its position as the world leader in the aerospace industry in 2023. The group surpasses its major American rival Boeing, which is currently facing turbulence. For Airbus, the year 2024 is off to a good start.
It has become a trend since 2019: Airbus is the world’s leading aerospace group, ahead of Boeing, currently grappling with issues related to improperly fixed components on its 737 Max fleet. Airbus also maintains its lead over Comac, the Chinese group that commenced commercial operation of its C919 aircraft in 2023 and is focusing on the Chinese and Asian markets initially, due to certification and production capacity considerations.
Strong commercial activity and high delivery levels for Airbus
In 2023, Airbus sold 1,883 aircraft, while Boeing achieved approximately 1,000 units. The level of orders was significantly higher than in 2022. Moreover, leveraging its industrial network with 5 assembly lines near Toulouse (France), Airbus successfully delivered 733 aircraft in 2023, surpassing the initial targets set by its CEO, Guillaume Faury.
The A320 remains a solid best-seller
Beyond the group’s performance, this dynamism can also be explained by more favorable market conditions. Tourism air travel has regained momentum, even reaching pre-pandemic levels in certain regions of the world. Additionally, order placements align with sustainability goals, as many airlines seek to phase out the most polluting aircraft from their fleets. While awaiting the widespread adoption of alternative engines and fuels, Airbus has capitalised on the success of the A320, a model that constitutes three-quarters of its sales.
The Beluga project takes shape
To kick off 2024 on a positive note, Airbus announced on January 8 that it had obtained the air operator certificate for Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT), a freight transport service. “Currently, the AiBT fleet comprises 3 cargo aircraft, with a 4th expected in 2024”, said Benoît Lemonnier, CEO of AiBT. Ultimately, the goal is to operate 5 Beluga aircrafts simultaneously worldwide. The initial contractual missions were fulfilled for Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence. Still, in 2024, Benoît Lemonnier assures that the group will work on expanding its customer base, and converting several prospects into clients.
On January 9, Airbus also confirmed a significant order from Taiwanese airline EVA Air. This includes 18 A350-1000 long-haul aircraft, and 15 A321neo single-aisle planes. Available in 2 versions (350 or 410 passengers), the A350-1000 features numerous technological innovations. The latest Rolls-Royce engine generation enables substantial environmental progress compared to the previous generation, with a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
