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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 12/96 AIRBUS:  PRESENT AND  FUTURE by Jean Pierson The year 1996 was marked by an upwind of the air traffic markets. Airbus Industrie could enforce its position in the branch and improve it towards the market leader. The success of sales in the first half of the year lead to two milestones in the company's history: Airbus Industrie passed the 2000-aircraft-sold mark when Philippine Airlines signed a contract for 24 aircraft in April of this year. More than 1000 of these are aircraft of the A320 family, which, eight years after the first delivery, has developed into the fastest sold aircraft family in the history of aviation. Already by mid-year our sales numbers surpassed our sales of the entire last year. And in November, Airbus Industry received the largest aircraft-order in aviation history: USAir decided to order up to 400 units of our A320-family. A new dimension - opening up for us on the home territory of our main competitor. Among other highlights of 1996 were the first order of the A330-200 of ILFC in February, the sale of 30 A320s to the increasingly important Chinese market in April, and I would especially like to point out the successful introduction of the A319 to the US market when United Airlines ordered 24 aircraft of this type. The German airline Eurowings plans to extend its fleet with the A319s ordered in April, with GECAS we received the trust of another leading leasing company, and in September we could welcome Asiana as a new customer. We are especially proud that this successful Korean airline, which up to this point was operating an all-Boeing fleet, has decided in favor of our products. However, sales were not the only remarkable events at Airbus Industrie in 1996: By founding the Large Aircraft Division in April, the development of the A3XX got a new push ahead. The preparational work for the program start was enforced under the lead of Senior Vice President Jürgen Thomas, in order to be able to put the 21st Century's new large aircraft on the line by the year 2003. Along with the A3XX, the continuos development of the existing product scale will be the basis for our future. Our newest products are the twin-engine A330-200, as well as, the stretched versions of the four-engine A340, called the -500 and -600. We are not at the end of our innovative process, but are in the middle of a series of events which have a high significance for Airbus Industrie. Along with quality and a wide product scale, a close customer relationship is at the top of AI's priority list. Due to this fact we will extend our global presence. The opening of the customer service and training center in Beijing (China) at the beginning of next year is an important step in this direction. Our investments and engagement reflect the increasing significance of this country. In July of this year, AI's board of directors signalled a green light for the restructuring of today's consortium to increase the company's competitiveness for future challenges. The four partner nations will work out an MoU until the end of 1996, which will specify further details. At the turn of the centuries, Airbus Industrie will be changed into a single corporate entity. Our main focus as aircraft manufacturer will remain on our products: Decisions concerning the stretched A340 versions will develop before the end of this year and maybe even made, with the program start not being far down the time line. The predevelopment work on the A3XX will also advance soon, giving a clearer picture of the future of this new large aircraft. A 50 percent market share is the long term goal of Airbus Industry. After McDonnell Douglas stepped out of the MD-XX-Development-Program, there are only two major manufacturers remaining in the airliner-industry. Under these circumstances, 30 percent market share are not enough to be sucessful in the long term. Hence, a clear expansion of our market presence is most important. With an ultra-modern, continuously improved and developed product line, as well as, a company structure that is adapted to the challenges of future markets, Airbus Industrie will be ready for the 21st Century. From page 24 of FLUG REVUE 12/96 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 12/96 Copyright 1996 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated November 19, 1996