Airbus delivers 500th Aircraft in Latin America, sets the stage for next 500

A few months ago, Airbus delivered its 500th aircraft in Latin America. The delivery of an A321 to Chile-based LAN Airlines was not unlike the dozens of others deliveries we have completed this year, but the milestone represents so much more.

Since 1990 Airbus has secured over 60 percent of total orders in the region and has become the undisputed aviation leader in Latin America. With more than 950 aircraft sold and a backlog of nearly 500, nearly 600 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Last year we secured 97 percent of gross orders in the region, and this year, with already 100 A320neos sold to Avianca, we are well on our way to achieving another great year.

The Latin American aviation industry has evolved tremendously since airlines began operating Airbus aircraft here due to the region becoming one of the most urbanized in the world, with GDP growth of 3.9 percent – above the world’s average rate of 3.2 percent. In fact, in the last 30 years we have seen the region transform from a foreign-carrier dominated market into a rapidly-growing network of airlines that is a force to be reckoned with.

But what is particularly exciting for Airbus is that the future is looking even brighter. With aircraft demand in Latin America stronger than ever (air traffic annual growth rate 4.9%) thanks to growing populations overall and growth in the region’s middle class in particular, airlines are acquiring larger, more efficient and newer aircraft (the region’s average age for in-service fleet is 9.5 years, down 40 percent since 2000).

Take the A321 for example -- the largest member of the A320 Family offering airline customers the best seat-mile costs of any single-aisle aircraft. LATAM has already received 24 A321s, Avianca nine and Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris two of many more on the way.

But Airbus has not only been able to appeal to its wide customer base with the A320, the signature aircraft family of the region, but it has also helped customers such as LATAM, Avianca and Azul successfully incorporate our highly reliable, profitable and comfortable wide body aircraft. More than 50 A330 and A340 aircraft are in operation today in Latin America, and LATAM will soon receive the first of its 27 A350 XWBs in the Americas in just a matter of months. Airbus and LATAM will together set the stage for the dozens of future deliveries to customers throughout the rest of the Americas, such as United, Synergy and Azul.

And most recently, Air France announced they would begin operating the A380 between Mexico City and Paris starting January, becoming the region’s first operator of the most efficient aircraft solution for 21st century growth.

Indeed the future is bright for Airbus in Latin America.