Aircraft
Strong Start For Airbus In 2013
Almost 80 percent of the almost 5,000-strong Airbus order backlog is accounted for by about 3,900 single-aisle A320s.
Almost 80 percent of the almost 5,000-strong Airbus order backlog is accounted for by about 3,900 single-aisle A320s.

Airbus is understandably relieved to have flown the A350 XWB widebody just before the Paris Air Show, but the European manufacturer's twin-aisle family accounts for only a small proportion of outstanding orders as it prepares to proceed with the new aircraft’s flight-test program. Nevertheless, deliveries of 247 aircraft overall and net orders for 493 new jets by June 1 constitute a “strong start” to 2013 for the European manufacturer, according to marketing senior vice-president Christopher Emerson. Airbus delivered 588 aircraft in 2012 and expects to ship more than 600 this year.