Airbus CEO says Boeing could win annual jet orders for first time in six years, aided by US trade deals, while Airbus leads in deliveries.
PARIS: Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury conceded on Wednesday that Boeing will likely win the annual jet order race for the first time in six years.
Faury told France Inter radio that Boeing’s order tally has been buoyed by settlements in US tariff disputes with several countries.
“The fact that we have been ahead on orders for five years means our order backlog is much higher than that of our main competitor,” Faury said.
“But it is true that they have been helped by the American president as part of tariff negotiations with several countries, where plane orders became part of the resolution of trade disputes.”
Boeing posted 908 net orders between January and November, compared with 700 for Airbus.
Airbus remains ahead of its US rival in aircraft deliveries and its total backlog of outstanding orders.
Analysts say several airlines placed Boeing orders or timed announcements to soothe trade tensions with the United States this year.
The long-haul Boeing 787 is selling well, while Airbus leads the market for smaller jets like the A321.
Faury said he does not expect an imminent new order from China for hundreds of jets, but noted clearances for previous deals.
On Wednesday, Airbus said it secured Chinese agreement to deliver 120 previously ordered jets.
Industry sources had said Airbus was banking on an order for up to 500 jets from China to meet internal goals.
Beijing is in negotiations with Boeing for a similar large package.
Faury also confirmed a major software recall affecting A320 family jets has been completed.
The final number of jets needing attention was closer to 4,000, and all have now been fixed.
