Airbus Admits Boeing Likely to Win Order Race This Year
The CEO of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, acknowledged that Boeing could surpass the European company in the annual order count for the first time in six years. This admission came during an interview with France Inter, where he explained that agreements linked to tariff disputes in the United States have boosted its American rival.
According to the most recent data, Boeing recorded 908 net orders from January to November, while Airbus added 700 in the same period. The performance of the 787 has been key for the American manufacturer. Despite this lead, Airbus maintains leadership in deliveries and retains a larger order backlog. Faury noted that their five years of dominance in new sales have left them with a higher cumulative volume than their direct competitor.
Role of Trade Tensions
Orders Influenced by International Negotiations
Faury pointed out that Boeing benefited from efforts driven by the U.S. president within the framework of tariff talks with various countries. In this scenario, several airlines chose to formalize purchases or announce previously planned agreements to ease diplomatic tensions, especially in Asia.
Industry sources in the United States argue that the 787’s success goes beyond political issues, while Airbus maintains a strong position in single-aisle aircraft like the A321. Even so, the European manufacturer’s orders have progressed at a slower pace for several months, reinforcing the possibility of a change in the annual ranking of new contracts. All indications are that Airbus will retain its status as the world’s largest producer thanks to a higher level of deliveries.
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Chinese Market and Industry Expectations
Unblocked Deliveries and Major Deals Under Discussion
When asked about rumors of a massive order from China, Faury stated that he does not expect an imminent announcement for hundreds of units. He did confirm that the necessary authorizations have already been granted to proceed with prior orders. Airbus reported on Wednesday that it received the green light to deliver 120 aircraft previously requested by Chinese customers.
Various industry sources indicate that the European manufacturer was hoping for a deal of up to 500 aircraft to meet its internal targets. At the same time, Beijing is negotiating a similar-sized package with Boeing. With tense trade relations with both the United States and Europe, Western analysts predict China will maintain a balance in its purchases to support its growth after several years of low activity in the commercial aircraft market.
Technical Update for the A320 Family
Software Corrected on Thousands of Aircraft
Faury also confirmed the completion of a software review affecting models of the A320 family, including the A321. Although initially reported as affecting 6,000 units, the final number was around 4,000, and all have now received the corresponding update, as he explained on France Inter.
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