News & Events

After a “year of records,” Airbus sets its sights on continued industry leadership in 2012

Airbus will build on last year’s highly successful commercial performance as the company pursues its industry leadership in 2012, with the coming 12 months to include further production ramp-up for the jetliner families to meet a growing order backlog, supported by additional growth in its employee ...

17 January 2012 Headline news

Speaking to international journalists today at the New Year's press conference organised with its EADS parent company, Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders said the planned production acceleration will raise the output of Airbus’ best-selling A320 Family in 2012 to an all-time high of...

Spirit Airlines firms up 75 A320 Family order including 45 A320neo

Huge response for Airbus eco-efficient single-aisle aircraft expands in the US

1 February 2012 Press Release

Spirit Airlines has finalised its firm order for 75 Airbus single-aisles including 45 A320neo aircraft (new engine option). The original Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced at the 2011 Dubai air show. The airline has not yet announced its engine selection. Spirit's order for 45 A320 neo aircraft was booked in December 2011. The firming up of the additional 30 A320s in January brings the total new firm order to 75.

“For seven years we have been very successfully flying the A320 Family,” said Ben Baldanza, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines. “The aircraft have been successful...

First customer in the Americas to choose Airbus’ automated inventory management

1 February 2012 Press Release

Airbus has been chosen by AVEOS, a full-service maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider headquartered in Montreal, to implement the ‘Airbus Managed Inventory’ (AMI) service. AMI will ensure the replenishment of Airbus proprietary parts at AVEOS’ facilities, utilizing an automated inventory management system.

The AMI service, which underlines Airbus’ innovative strategy in offering customised services based on latest industry standards, captures material consumption information in real time and automatically triggers the replenishment process within the agreed inventory levels.

“This...

Airbus ProSky offers integrated airport surface management for air traffic controllers

Keeping traffic moving efficiently on airport taxiways and reducing emissions

30 January 2012 Press Release

Airports strive for ever more eco-efficient ground operations including safe taxiway routing for pilots, all-weather guidance between the terminal gate and the runway, and control of aircraft and vehicles. Airbus ProSky is responding to this demand by complementing its Air Traffic Management (ATM) offerings with a powerful airport surface management system (SMAN) for Air Traffic Control centres worldwide.

SMAN was designed for environmental efficiency by the German company ATRiCS and is now offered through Airbus ProSky. A unique feature of this airport surface management system is that it...

AviancaTaca firms up order for 51 eco-efficient A320 aircraft

Purchase agreement is biggest for a single customer in Latin America history

26 January 2012 Press Release

AviancaTaca, which includes subsidiary AeroGal of Ecuador, has signed a purchase agreement for 33 eco-efficient A320neo and 18 A320 Family aircraft. The order, which is the largest from a single airline in the region in terms of number of aircraft, follows a MOU signed during the Le Bourget Air Show in Paris in June 2011.

The new aircraft will support AviancaTaca’s expansion into new markets in Latin America, while keeping the airline’s fleet among the youngest in the region.

“With this order AviancaTaca and our subsidiaries will continue the modernization process that includes fleet...

Etihad Airways orders two more A330-200 Freighters

Ideal solution for most efficient freight operations

26 January 2012 Press Release

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has signed a firm order for two additional A330-200F freighter aircraft to meet their growth plans in the cargo market. The airline was a launch customer and the launch operator of the A330-200F, having taken delivery of its first aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2010. Today’s order will increase the fleet of the airline’s cargo business, Etihad Crystal Cargo, to four A330-200F freighters.

“We are strongly committed to building our presence in the cargo sector with the platform of Abu Dhabi as our hub to...

Cebu Pacific to become new A330 operator

31 January 2012 Feature story

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the largest low cost carrier from the Philippines, is set to become a new A330 operator, following an announcement that it has selected the aircraft for new long haul services. The carrier plans to acquire up to eight leased aircraft for the new operation, which will begin in the third quarter of 2013.

The long range capability of the A330 will enable CEB to offer direct services from Manila to markets in Australia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, as well as to the US. The airline will configure the aircraft in single class layout seating just over 400...

A330 production rate is at an all-time high

25 January 2012

The production of Airbus’ A330 reached a rate of nine per month in January, bringing the output of this popular twin-engine jetliner to a record rate in meeting international demand. Assembly of the A330 is performed in Toulouse, France, with Airbus planning a further ramp-up to 9.5 aircraft monthly. The A330 is operated in passenger and freighter versions, along with its use as a multi-role military aerial refueling platform and airlifter. As of year-end 2011, Airbus had booked orders for 1,186 A330s, of which 837 had been delivered.