Airbus comes to Asian Aerospace '04 (24th-29th February) with a positive outlook after a landmark year in 2003, in which it became Number One also in terms of deliveries. During 2003, Airbus delivered 305 aircraft and achieved 284 new firm orders despite the widespread challenges faced by the air transport industry during the year.

The SARS crisis heavily impacted upon Asia – Pacific carriers during the first half of 2003, yet Airbus orders from the region accounted for over 30% of the global total, with 87 firm orders from 11 customers. These included highly significant orders for the A380 from Korean Air and Malaysia Airlines’ parent company Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, as well as orders for A340-500/600s from Thai Airways International. Other notable orders came from CASC in China (A319/A320/A330), China Airlines of Taiwan (A330), Vietnam Airlines (A321) and Qantas (A320) for its new low cost operation, JetStar.

Singapore Airlines became the first customer from the region to take delivery of the A340-500 in December 2003 and inaugurated record breaking non-stop service between Singapore and Los Angeles on 3rd February 2004. An even longer non stop service between Singapore and New York is scheduled to start in mid 2004. Other significant deliveries in 2003 were the first A330s for Eva Air of Taiwan and first A320s for Air New Zealand. Almost 580 Airbus aircraft of all types are currently in service with over 40 operators across the Asia – Pacific region.

In the field of regional industrial collaboration, Composites Technology Resources Malaysia delivered the first set of A380 wing components to Airbus in October 2003. Industrial collaboration continues on the A380 with Japanese companies, as well as on other Airbus programmes with suppliers from Australia, China, India, Japan and Korea.

Airbus will be present at Asian Aerospace '04 with a Chalet (Row D 1-3), as well as a large stand (Hall A - 701) with model and video displays of its products including A380, A340-500/600, A330-200 and A320 family.
Airbus will hold a press briefing in the “Bravo Suite” (Row C) at 1.30pm on Wednesday, 25th February. Further media briefings may also to be expected during the course of the week.

Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus has delivered almost 3,500 aircraft to 210 customers and operators world-wide, and boasts a healthy deliver backlog of well over 1,400 aircraft, which, at current rates, represents some five years of production. With an annual turnover of €19.3 billion in 2003, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.



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