Powerful momentum in 2023 as Airbus delivers

Airbus marked record sales in 2023 as global air travel returned to pre-pandemic levels and airlines around the world decided to expand their fleets with landmark orders for fuel-efficient aircraft. Amid this exciting growth, we managed to deliver 11% more aircraft than the previous year thanks to continued progress in our production ramp-up.

Globally, our commercial aircraft division booked 2,094 net new orders from 87 customers in 2023. We also handed over 735 airplanes, surpassing our target despite ongoing supply chain bottlenecks that have affected the global aerospace industry. 

Latin America played a key role in this success, accounting for about 6% of our global commercial aircraft orders – and 8% of deliveries. Last year we saw multiple airlines in the region place orders for scores of high-performing, efficient Airbus aircraft to augment and renew their fleets.

In 2023, Mexico's Volaris announced 25 A321neos from a purchase agreement signed last year. LATAM Airlines announced 13 additional A321neos, while Avianca confirmed an order for 15 more A320neos. Our widebodies were also successful, with Azul Linhas Aéreas announcing an order for four additional A330-900s. Additionally, Viva Aerobus signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 90 A321neos.

Deliveries in Latin America were also robust last year, with one example being Volaris and JetSMART receiving A320neo from our production facility in Mobile, Alabama – marking them as the first non U.S.-based airlines to take delivery of an aircraft produced at the site. And we saw Boliviana de Aviación become an Airbus customer by starting its operations with A330s.

We expect our business in the region to soar to new heights in the years ahead as continued demand for air travel powers major fleet expansions. According to our Global Market Forecast, a total of 2,630 aircraft will be flying in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2042, nearly doubling from the 1,440 aircraft in operation in early 2020. This total includes 2,390 new aircraft that are projected to enter into service.

Even as urbanisation and a rising middle class are propelling growth in the commercial aviation market, we see sustained demand for rotorcraft stemming from the region’s wide-ranging civil, parapublic and military needs. Last year, among other wins, we booked new orders for our corporate helicopters in Brazil and completed the delivery of five high-performing, single-engine H125 helicopters to the Chilean Navy. These regional achievements took place in the context of a successful year for our Airbus Helicopters division worldwide. Our order intake was 10% higher than in 2022. 

Our Defence and Space business had tremendous success with significant service orders for the region, helping our customers ensure their operations continue to perform vital missions for society, such as the C295's disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Otis in Mexico.

With strong momentum at the start of 2024, Airbus looks forward to exploring new opportunities with our customers in Latin America, as we continue to support the region’s soaring aerospace ambitions.