国际英语新闻：Airbus realizes record high deliveries in 2010

PARIS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- European aircraft maker Airbus said Monday it has reached record high deliveries in 2010 with 510 commercial aircraft deliveries to 94 customers, of which 19 were new, in addition to 20 military transport aircraft.

The deliveries list included 401 A320 family aircraft, 91 A330/A340s and 18 A380s, exceeding the 2009 record of 498 aircraft in total, while for military provision, Airbus Military delivered 20 light and medium transport aircraft, four units more than the 2009 figure, the company said in a statement.

Airbus "has increased its production output for the ninth year in a row" and "booked 644 commercial aircraft orders (574 net) in 2010," worth a value over 84 billion U.S. dollars gross (74 billion dollars net) at list prices, the statement added.

Airbus 2010 new orders include 452 A320 family aircraft, 160 A330/A340/A350 XWB family aircraft, and 32 new orders for the A380, representing 51 percent by value of the year's net worldwide market share of aircraft beyond 100 seats.

At 2010 year end, Airbus' order book backlog was 3,552 aircraft valued at over 480 billion dollars at list prices, or equalling 6 years of full production, and the military backlog stood at 247 aircraft, according to its statement.

In 2010, Airbus has launched the lower-fuel costing A320neo with new engine option, and meanwhile started the A350 XWB production.

With 21 new orders, Airbus Military is improving with the A400M program since four development aircraft has recorded total test flight hours so far more than 1,000 in 300 test flights. In addition, the A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft also achieved civil and military certification.

"2010 was a good year, in fact better than expected twelve months ago. The market rebound and improved program performance has been particularly encouraging," commented Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

In 2009, the European aircraft manufacturer's 498 deliveries included 402 A320 family, 86 A320/A340 and 10 A380.

Airbus would try to make 2011 delivery target between 520 and 530 in number of civil aircraft, Enders was quoted as saying by local media at a press conference at Toulouse.