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Airbus beats Boeing in aircraft delivery

08 January 2010 09:12 (UTC +04:00)

BakÄ± â€“ APA-Economics. Airplane manufacturer Airbus sold more planes in 2009 than in its entire history, despite the harsh conditions surrounding the economic crisis, reported the La Tribune business newspaper Monday.

The company delivered 498 airplanes in 2009, beating its 2008 record by 15 airplanes, the newspaper reported, citing informed sources.

However, the company reportedly fell short of its goal for the A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, delivering only 10 of the 13 promised.

The company plans to hit similar sales levels in 2010, but plans no formal sales announcements until January 12, according to La Tribune. If the figures are confirmed, it means Airbus would have beaten its US rival Boeing in both orders and deliveries for 2009.

US rival Boeing said Thursday it delivered 481 commercial aircraft in 2009, in line with its forecast despite difficult economic conditions.

The figure was in line with the company’s guidance of 480-485 airplane deliveries for the year, and up from 375 in 2008, a year affected by a strike.