AIRBUS MORE THAN DOUBLES 2001 SALES AT LE BOURGET, ANNOUNCING 175 ORDERS WORTH US$14 BILLION

Airbus signed deals with five customers at the Paris Le Bourget air show this week for a total of 175 aircraft worth US$14 billion. Of these 155 were firm sales valued at US$13.2 billion. These firm orders more than double Airbus' sales so far this year, which now stand at 299.

Announcements included the consolidation of two major customers’ earlier commitments for the all-new A380 superjumbo, with Air France and ILFC placing firm orders for 10 A380s respectively. This year’s show also witnessed the largest Airbus order ever placed by a single customer in terms of value, with the sale of 111 Airbus aircraft in total, worth US$8.7 billion.

The first major order placed at this year’s show came with the signature by JetBlue Airways of a firm contract for an additional 30 A320s, bringing the New York start-up carrier’s total firm orders for the type to 63. Airbus then gained a new customer with Royal Air Maroc’s firm order for four A321s. This was followed by an order from Air France for 10 A380-800s, in confirmation of an earlier commitment.

ILFC, the world's largest leasing company, and the first North American customer for the A380, doubled its original commitment for the type, firmly ordering five A380-800s and five A380-800F freighter versions. ILFC also firmly ordered 21 A330-200s and 80 A320 Family single-aisle aircraft. This milestone deal, valued at US$8.7 billion, is the largest order in value terms ever placed for Airbus aircraft by a single customer.

Brazilian airline TAM – Linhas Aéreas also confirmed its intention to acquire 20 A318 aircraft, the latest member of Airbus’ highly popular A320 Family of single-aisles.

"We are delighted with the results of this air show,” said Noël Forgeard, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, “and we are honoured that, despite a generally less bullish market, airlines and leasing companies - whose success depends on accurate market trend predictions - continue to turn to Airbus’ modern and comprehensive product line for the best aircraft to meet their needs.”

With well over 4,400 orders booked to date from some 180 customers worldwide, Airbus consistently captures about half of the market for commercial aircraft seating more than 100 passengers. Headquartered in Toulouse, France Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE SYSTEMS.