Airbus & Boeing to see turnaround in 2010?

Global - With the global economy only just showing signs of recovery, will aircraft manufacturers see a turnaround for 2010?

The two industry behemoths Airbus and Boeing closed 2009 with considerably solid orders despite an aviation industry that was hit by the economic slowdown, said CAPA (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation) study.

Airbus ended last year with 280 net orders and Boeing with 142.

The likelihood of both companies witnessing record deliveries in 2010 might be an overstatement, after sales began to falter in 2008 and finally came to a full stop in 2009. Airbus and Boeing's net orders fell by 1,000 units in 2009 from the 1,400 of the previous year.

"Most of the important economic and airline industry indicators are likely to be relatively flat in 2010, arguing for another slow year for orders," said Teal Group vice-president of analysis Richard Aboulafia.

But the one or two major orders from the likes of Emirates and United Airlines can still be expected for it is an appropriate time to shop for some deals.

Deliveries in 2009 were plagued by cancellations. The CAPA report said that while Boeing ended 2009 with 259 gross orders, 118 cancellations have seen the net total fall to 141 for the year.

Boeing's new B787 has been most heavily affected, seeing 83 cancellations. It finally flew for the first time last month.

Competitor Airbus, on another hand, was less heavily affected than Boeing last year. They had 225 net orders by the end of November. But it was in December, when Malaysia Airlines ordered 15 A330s, China Eastern Airlines ordered 16 A330s and Lan Airlines ordered 30 A320s, which boosted the European aircraft manufacturer near its target of 300 gross orders for 2009.

According to a Reuters report, Airbus' deliveries totaled 498 last year beating its initial target for around 490 aircrafts. The company however declined to comment on this figure, and said it would reveal details of its aircraft deliveries on January 12.

Singapore budget carrier, Tiger Airways is one airline that is purchasing two new Airbus A320-200, scheduled for delivery this month and coming February. The first of the new aircraft will join its fleet in time to commence new services between Singapore and Hong Kong in February.

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