Airbus claimed the title of the world’s largest planemaker on Thursday after delivering a record number of aircraft in 2008, but predicted a difficult year ahead for the industry as airlines curb spending amid the economic crisis.
Airbus CEO Tom Enders said he expects orders to dip below deliveries in 2009 for the first time in six years.
Looking into a crystal ball in a press conference stunt, Chief Salesman John Leahy said he expects between 300 and 400 new aircraft orders, likely at the “low end” of that range.
“It’s looking like a very soft year right now,” he told reporters in Toulouse, southwest France, where Airbus is headquartered. The uncertainty of the depth of the economic and financial crisis makes it very difficult to predict future business, he said.
In 2009, Enders said he expects deliveries to be similar to 2008, when Airbus handed over 483 jets — 30 more than the previous year.
Source: USA Today
By: symon - 19th January 2009 at 13:35
Of course they were – I can’t see the Boeing Machinists strike helping matters much!
What were the figures regarding aircraft orders from both last year? Maybe that would be a better indication.
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January 19, 2009 at 3:42 am