Airbus says deliveries were 11% higher than the previous record of 718 units, set in 2017. For the 16th year in a row now, Airbus has increased the number of commercial aircraft deliveries on an annual basis.
In total, the 2018 commercial aircraft deliveries comprise:
20 A220s (since it became part of the Airbus family in July 2018);
626 A320 Family (vs 558 in 2017), of which 386 were A320neo Family (vs 181 NEOs in 2017);
49 A330s (vs 67 in 2017) including the first three A330neo in 2018;
93 A350 XWBs (vs 78 in 2017);
12 A380s (vs 15 in 2017).
In terms of sales, Airbus achieved 747 net orders during 2018 compared with 1,109 net orders in 2017. At the end of 2018, the backlog of Airbus commercial aircraft reached a new industry record and stood at 7,577 aircraft, including 480 A220s, compared with 7,265 at the end of 2017.
“Despite significant operational challenges, Airbus continued its production ramp-up and delivered a record number of aircraft in 2018. I salute our teams around the globe who worked until the end of the year to meet our commitments,” said Guillaume Faury, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft. “I am equally pleased about the healthy order intake as it shows the underlying strength of the commercial aircraft market and the trust our customers are placing in us. My gratitude goes out to all of them for their ongoing support.” He added: “As we look to further increase our industrial efficiency, we will continue making the digitalisation of our business a key priority.”
Over the last 16 years, Airbus has steadily increased its production year-by-year with the final assembly lines in Hamburg, Toulouse, Tianjin and Mobile complemented by the addition of the A220 line in Mirabel, Canada, during 2018. A notable contribution to Airbus’ delivery increase in 2018 came from the final assembly lines in the US and China. For the top-selling A320 Family, in particular, the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Mobile, Alabama, saw its 100th delivery and is now producing in excess of four units per month. Meanwhile, Airbus’ “FAL Asia” in Tianjin, China, achieved its 400th A320 delivery, while in Germany Airbus commenced operations of its new, fourth production line in Hamburg. Overall, the A320 programme is on track to achieve rate 60 per month for the A320 Family by mid-2019. The Airbus teams successfully reached an important industrial milestone for the A350, achieving the targeted rate of 10 aircraft per month. 
US Jobs
Airbus, in conjunction with its hiring partner AIDT, is seeking its first candidates to fill manufacturing positions for its newest assembly line in Mobile, Alabama. The positions are the first wave of production jobs announced for the company’s A220 aircraft assembly line. The open positions include aircraft structure/installation mechanics, installers for aircraft cabin furnishings and aircraft electricians.
Successful candidates for all positions will participate in several weeks of training at AIDT in a combination of classroom and on-the-job training. Some candidates will also have the opportunity for on-the-job training with the company’s manufacturing team in Mirabel, Canada before returning to Mobile. Production on the first aircraft begins in the third quarter of 2019.
Aircraft structure/installation mechanics are responsible for the structural installation of parts and major components in the aircraft. Installers for aircraft cabin furnishings are responsible for installing various cabin amenities into the aircraft including cabin equipment, floor covering, cockpits, cargo and doors. Aircraft electricians are responsible for the electrical installations, connections, bonding, measuring and troubleshooting within the aircraft. For the first wave of hiring, the company prefers candidates to have at least two years of experience in aerospace/aviation production.
In addition to the positions for the new A220 production facility, Airbus is also hiring for similar production positions in its current A320 production facility. In total, the company expects to hire approximately 600 new employees over the next 18 months.
For a full job description of all the positions and to apply, go to airbususmanufacturing.applicantpro.com/jobs.
The A220 production facility will be located at the Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, Alabama, adjacent to Airbus’ A320 Family production lines and will build aircraft for U.S.-based customers. The assembly line, which will create more jobs and further strengthen the aerospace industry, is part of Airbus’ strategy to enhance its global competitiveness by meeting the growing needs of its customers in the United States and elsewhere. A220 aircraft assembly is planned to start in 2019.
US Jobs
Airbus, in conjunction with its hiring partner AIDT, is seeking its first candidates to fill manufacturing positions for its newest assembly line in Mobile, Alabama. The positions are the first wave of production jobs announced for the company’s A220 aircraft assembly line. The open positions include aircraft structure/installation mechanics, installers for aircraft cabin furnishings and aircraft electricians.Successful candidates for all positions will participate in several weeks of training at AIDT in a combination of classroom and on-the-job training. Some candidates will also have the opportunity for on-the-job training with the company’s manufacturing team in Mirabel, Canada before returning to Mobile. Production on the first aircraft begins in the third quarter of 2019.
Aircraft structure/installation mechanics are responsible for the structural installation of parts and major components in the aircraft. Installers for aircraft cabin furnishings are responsible for installing various cabin amenities into the aircraft including cabin equipment, floor covering, cockpits, cargo and doors. Aircraft electricians are responsible for the electrical installations, connections, bonding, measuring and troubleshooting within the aircraft. For the first wave of hiring, the company prefers candidates to have at least two years of experience in aerospace/aviation production.
In addition to the positions for the new A220 production facility, Airbus is also hiring for similar production positions in its current A320 production facility. In total, the company expects to hire approximately 600 new employees over the next 18 months.For a full job description of all the positions and to apply, go to airbususmanufacturing.applicantpro.com/jobs.
The A220 production facility will be located at the Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, Alabama, adjacent to Airbus’ A320 Family production lines and will build aircraft for U.S.-based customers. The assembly line, which will create more jobs and further strengthen the aerospace industry, is part of Airbus’ strategy to enhance its global competitiveness by meeting the growing needs of its customers in the United States and elsewhere. A220 aircraft assembly is planned to start in 2019.
