CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/632301
AEROSPACE CompositesWorld.com 17 E TRENDS The numbers are in. Airbus (Toulouse, France) and rival The Boeing Co. (Chicago, WA, US) both reported record new- aircraft deliveries in 2015. Airbus delivered 635 total aircraft to 85 customers last year, surpassing its previous record of 629, set in 2014. These deliveries comprise 491 in the A320 family aircraft, 103 A330s, 27 A380s and 14 A350 XWBs. Airbus also received 1,036 net orders from 53 customers (of which eight were new), comprising 897 single-aisle aircraft and 139 widebodies. At 2015 year-end the overall backlog had climbed to a new industry record of 6,787 aircraft valued at US$996.3 billion at list prices, the company said. Also in 2015, the A320neo was certifed by the aviation authorities on both sides of the Atlantic just fve years after its launch. In addition, Airbus delivered 14 A350s, progress was made on the A350 program's next variant, the A350- 1000 and parts are in production for the frst A330neo. Further, Airbus says its A380 superjumbo program, 10 years after frst fight, reached the economic breakeven point. A notable highlight was September's ofcial opening of the frst Airbus factory in the US in Mobile on Alabama's Gulf Coast, where 40-50 A320 family aircraft will be produced annually by 2018. On the other side of the globe in China, additional orders for the A330 not only complement the company's plans for a new A330 comple- tion and delivery center in Tianjin, but also help to smooth its transition towards the A330neo. For its part, Boeing reported that it delivered 762 commercial airplanes during 2015, 39 more than it had the previous year and the most ever in a single year. In 2015, Boeing recorded 768 net orders, valued at US$112.4 billion at current list prices. At year's end, Boeing held 5,795 unflled orders from customers worldwide. In addition, Boeing marked a number of other milestones in 2015: Five customers received their frst 787 Dreamliners, including Oman Air, Scoot, American Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. The 747 team delivered the 100 th 747-8, the 767 program received its largest single order ever from FedEx and the 777 program announced a 2% fuel improvement package. The newly expanded Seattle Delivery Center opened its doors to pave the way for increased 737 production. The frst 737 MAX rolled out of the factory in December. The 787-10 team completed detailed design of the newest member of the 787 family, while the 777X reached frm confguration, allowing the team to begin detailed design of parts, assemblies and other systems for the airplane. Airbus and Boeing exceed targets in 2015, anticipate strong 2016 High Density Urethane Tooling Board and Core Material (800) 845-0745 • www.precisionboard.com • Closed cell structure • No out-gassing • 15 standard densities • Exceeds aviation flammability standards Make it Precision Board Plus