Airbus is claiming an industry record by hitting an order backlog of more than 6,000 aircraft for the first time.
The number emerged as the European manufacturer revealed its orders for November, bolstering the company’s position in its fight with rival Boeing for dominance of the civil aerospace market.
Its US rival has an order backlog of 5,703 commercial aircraft.
Airbus took 248 orders during November and delivered 61 aircraft, taking its year to date orders to 1,031 including cancellations, with 554 aircraft handed over to customers.
However, on an annual basis, Boeing has the upper hand, taking 1,274 orders when adjusted for cancellations with 647 aircraft delivered to airlines in the year to date, the Telegraph reported
Airbus’s faster response to airlines’ growing demand for efficiency is helping it gain an edge in the fight for dominance, according to experts.
It was the first of the two companies to begin developing modernised versions of its existing jets.
The range known as the “neos” – derived from new engine option – are more fuel efficient and also had their performance improved through advanced aerodynamics.
Independent aviation analyst Howard Wheeldon said: “The neos are doing extremely well and making inroads. Airbus listened to what the market wanted and delivered it first.
“Airbus was into the evolution of aircraft earlier than Boeing, taking out costs by giving them more efficient engines and reducing maintenance. Boeing was a little slower in its response.”
Boeing had a different approach to Airbus, developing the all-new 787 Dreamliner which incorporated much more advanced technology and materials such as composites to improve efficiency, but which delayed its introduction into service and pushed up costs.
The US company is currently introducing MAX version of its 737 and upgrades to its larger 777, which are effectively its reply to Airbus’s neo programme.
However, Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, said the Airbus’s larger order backlog was only temporary and the result of the European group falling behind in deliveries.
“Boeing is clearly delivering more jets than Airbus and that trend will continue as it ramps up production.
In contrast Airbus is paring down its A330 production next year as it revamps the model to the A330neo in 2018,” he added, pointing out there is little to differentiate the two company’s technologies, meaning that many airlines buy from both Boeing and Airbus.