Airbus secures a new order to kick off 2009, Boeing jumps on analyst upgrades – Suppliers Share Wrap
Airbus ended 2009 well, with at least 61 orders in Dec-2009, and the beginning of 2010 looks to be continuing in a similar vein.
Turkish Airlines, the only European carrier to register consistent growth in 2009, has reportedly ordered 20 more A320 family aircraft: 14 A321s and six of the smaller A319s. The aircraft are due for delivery between 2011 and 2012. Turkish has also taken options for ten more A321s/A319s, for delivery in 2013.
According to French daily, La Tribune, Airbus delivered a record 498 aircraft in 2009, exceeding its target of 480-490 aircraft. For the year to Nov-2009, Airbus had delivered 437 aircraft and received 225 gross orders.
2010 deliveries will not likely be as high as last year's, but are still expected to be well over 400. Airbus revised production rates of its A320 family programme from 36 to 34 a month in Oct-2009. Production rates of the A330/A340 family were maintained at 8.5 per month.
The great unknown is A380 production. Airbus delivered ten A380s last year (two less than 2008), but has not yet set a target for 2010 output. In 2009, the manufacturer stated it hoped to deliver "more than 20" A380s in 2010, but a firm production target is to be set later this month.
Shares in EADS, parent of Airbus, slipped 0.7% in trading on Monday.
Meanwhile, Boeing's shares surged 3.8% on upgrades from Barclays (from 'equalweight' to 'overweight') and Jesup & Lamont (from 'hold' to 'buy'). Both analysts have put price targets on Boeing shares above USD60.
B/E Aerospace and Aircastle also rose strongly, up 6% and 5.7% respectively amid strong New Year trade. Embraer also surged 5.1%.
Selected Aviation suppliers' daily share price movements (% change): 04-Jan-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & Yahoo! Finance