European aircraft maker Airbus has said it outperformed US rival Boeing in 2009 as the top producer in the world with 498 plane deliveries and 310 orders. But its parent company said turnover dropped because of the economic crisis.
Airbus chief executive Tom Enders told reporters in Seville in Spain that Airbus had a successful year overall because airlines had managed to secure financing for planes despite the credit crunch. Boeing registered 481 deliveries and 263 orders over the year.
But Enders voiced disappointment that Airbus had managed to deliver only 10 of its super-jumbo A380s in 2009 compared with 12 in 2008. He said he hoped to deliver 'at least 20' of the giant jets in 2010.
Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) said 2009 revenues fell nearly 3.5% to €41.7 billion, according to preliminary figures.
