MEBA10: Airbus delivers ACJ record – half in the Mid-East

Last year, the company delivered 14 aircraft.

Sales so far this year have hit nine aircraft and the firm is confident that the world has turned the corner after the economic crisis, said Francois Chazelle, Airbus vice president Executive and Private Aviation.

“Our sales are growing and there is evidence that we are starting to return to a healthy market place,” he said. “We see this in this year and for the coming year.”

While he acknowledged that this year’s record deliveries were based on orders placed prior to the economic crisis, the firm had had to work hard to defend some of the orders through the recession.

“Obviously, these orders were placed some time ago,” said Chazelle. “However, we had to put a lot of effort into protecting the orders once the economy worsened.”

He said the 16 deliveries meant the total Airbus business aircraft fleet world-wide had topped 170 aircraft.

“Our customers include everyone – from governments to corporates and high-net-worth individuals,” he concluded.