Airbus Takes Jump Toward Leahy's A350 Sales Goal

Airbus announced 49 new orders and commitments for its A350 program during the third day of the Paris Air Show yesterday, meaning the company this week has alone achieved well over half of its sales goal for the year.

Yesterday's A350 deals added to the 94 orders and commitments for the aircraft that Airbus revealed on Monday -- not including existing orders that had to be reconfirmed after the A350 program's relaunch. Airbus Chief Commercial Officer John Leahy earlier this year predicted that his team would win at least 200 new A350 orders in 2007.

Many of the firm orders announced at the show represent confirmations of commitments already announced, but they still demonstrate that Leahy's target is eminently achievable. Airbus this week has also converted more than 30 orders placed before the A350 relaunch.

Including all the A350 announcements, Airbus yesterday revealed about 180 orders and commitments for programs. The largest came from Indian carrier Kingfisher, which signed a memorandum of understanding for 15 A350-800s in addition to converting five orders placed before the relaunch. The airline also committed to 10 A330-200s, five A340-500s and 20 A320s.

Kingfisher said the A340s and A350s will let it expand existing long- haul routes and open new ones, including direct flights between the U.S. and India. The A330s will be used to expand routes to Europe, while the A320s will boost service in the subcontinent.