Airbus realizes new records in orders, deliveries in 2013

European aircraft maker Airbus said Monday it has reached a new record in 2013 with 626 commercial aircraft deliveries to 93 customers, of which 15 were new, and a new industry record of 1,619 gross orders.

The deliveries list included 493 A320 family aircraft, 108 A330, 25 A380, surpassing the 2012 record of 588 aircraft. Airbus Military delivered also 31 aircraft including seven A330 MRTT and two A400M for the French Air Force, the company said in a statement.

The 2013 new orders, worth a value of 240.5 billion U.S. dollars, included 377 A320ceo, 876 A320neo, 77 A330, 239 A350 XWB, 50 A380. By the year end of 2013, "the backlog had climbed to an industry wide record of 5,559 aircraft, valued at 809 billion U.S. dollars at list prices, or eight years production," the statement added.

According to the statement, the A320neo, launched in late 2010, surpassed 2,600 orders while strong sales of the A320ceo continued with more than 1,000 sold since the A320neo was launched.

2013 was also notable for the A350 XWB first flight. "Certification is targeted for Q3 and Entry Into Service for Q4 2014," the company confirmed.

"To expand our leadership in single aisles and widebodies, 2014 will be significant with the first flight of the A320neo and the Entry Into Service of the A350 XWB," said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO.

In 2012, Airbus delivered a company record of 588 aircraft to 89 customers and winned 914 gross orders, including 305 CEO, 478 NEO, 82 A330/A340s, 40 A350 XWB and nine A380s.