Airbus ends the 47th Paris Air Show with new momentum for its product range, the A380, the A350 XWB, the A330/A340 Family, as well as the A320 Family. During the Show the manufacturer received a total of 425 firm orders from 19 customers. In addition, Airbus received commitments for a total of 303 additional aircraft.

Market demand for the A380 was further consolidated, with 13 additional orders and commitments from existing customers who further confirmed their interest in AirbusÂ' all new Â"gentle green giantÂ" by increasing their orders and commitments for this new product.

Qatar increased its order book for the A380 by three firm orders. Emirates and Air France both committed to acquiring eight and two more A380s, respectively. This brings the total orders and commitments for the A380 to 173. Delivery to the first operator, Singapore Airlines, will take place in October this year.

Orders received at the Show have also strongly validated AirbusÂ' new A350 XWB programme, which received a total of 141 firm orders from five customers during the week. The customers include Qatar, Aeroflot, Singapore Airlines and lessors Alafco and CIT. In addition the new A350 received commitments for 52 aircraft from four additional customers (US Airways, Kingfisher, Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah).

This brings the total orders and commitments received so far for the all new A350 XWB, which was launched in December last year, to 232 aircraft, including 154 firm orders and 78 commitments.

The A330/A340 Family continued to sell at record levels, receiving a total of 132 orders and commitments, of which 83 are firm and 49 are commitments. The A330-200 Freighter won as many as 46 firm orders from five different customers around the world. Altogether the family gained four new customers, which is also another indication of the success of this Family in the market place.

Finally, the demand for AirbusÂ' Single aisle product Family was again confirmed, with the addition of 390 orders and commitments (198 firm orders and 192 commitments). Airbus increased its A320 Family customer base, also welcoming four new customers as well as two new ACJ customers.

Â"This Airshow has confirmed that Airbus is very much back on the market, continuing to satisfy customers with the right products. Especially the A380 and A350 XWB have been the highlight of the show, receiving tremendous customer endorsement. They will lead the way in the future in terms of aircraft technology, passenger comfort and environment friendliness. Also, the A330/A340 Family continues to be very much in demand, as is our single-aisle Family,Â" said Airbus President and CEO Louis Gallois. Â"This should give us further incentive to pursue our efforts to turn the company around in order to be able to deliver on our promisesÂ".

A report by The Mole