Airbus notched a positive development on both the sales and production fronts in May. The European planemaker revealed an undisclosed customer placed a firm order for 20 A330neo jets. This news comes alongside Airbus celebrating the delivery of their 600th A350 aircraft. The A330neo order, confirmed in Airbus' monthly report, adds to the backlog for the versatile widebody aircraft. While the buyer's identity remains a mystery, recent discussions between Airbus and several Chinese airlines regarding potential A330neo sales fueled speculation.
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This order is a welcome addition for Airbus, particularly as the A350 program reached a significant milestone. Lufthansa took delivery of the landmark 600th A350, joining a growing fleet of these fuel-efficient twin-engine jets operated by airlines worldwide. Virgin Atlantic and Air Lease Corporation also received A350s in May, highlighting the continued demand for this Airbus offering.
While details are scarce on the A330neo order, the news suggests continued interest in the updated version of the popular Airbus widebody aircraft. The A330neo boasts improved fuel efficiency and operating range compared to its predecessor, making it an attractive option for airlines looking to optimize their long-haul routes. Airbus' overall May deliveries reached 53 aircraft to 34 customers. This included a mix of single-aisle A220s, A320neos, and A321neos, along with the aforementioned A350s. While this number fell short of industry expectations, Airbus remains focused on fulfilling its ambitious delivery targets for the year.
The co-existence of these developments - a secret A330neo order and the 600th A350 delivery - paints a positive picture for Airbus. It showcases continued customer interest in their widebody offerings and production progress on the A350 program. However, challenges like supply chain issues remain, and Airbus will need to navigate these hurdles to achieve its 2024 delivery goals.