Participating at the biennial aerospace gathering under the theme of “non-stop innovation,” Airbus underscored its ability to meet customers’ requirements with a modern airliner family offering the highest efficiency, maximum passenger comfort and optimum operational flexibility.

During the Paris Air Show’s weeklong run, Airbus revealed new orders and commitments for 280 aircraft with a combined value of $33.5 billion. This included 125 commitments for the newest Airbus – the A350 advanced twin-engine airliner – from international leasing companies and carriers in India, the Middle East and South America. The popular A320 Family also logged orders from low-cost carriers and mainline operators, while new and repeat customers booked orders for the A330.

Thousands of visitors came to Le Bourget Airport to see the star of the show – the A380, which thrilled the crowds with its manoeuvrability and low noise levels during daily flight demonstrations. Even the most senior aerospace executives were seen having their pictures taken in front of the A380 while it was parked in the static display area. The A380 also broadened its customer line-up with the Paris Air Show announcement that India’s Kingfisher Airlines had ordered five of the double-deck aircraft, along with five A350-800s and a similar number of A330-200s.

To keep pace with its growing order volume, Airbus will be making further increases in its production output and delivery rate. This will allow for more than 360 aircraft to be delivered in 2005, followed by a further 10 per cent upswing planned for 2006. Production rate will reach 30 single-aisle aircraft and eight long-range aircraft per month by the end of this year.