2 minute read - 22nd June 2023
Airbus secures biggest ever order and commits to 2023 recruitment target
Airbus has enjoyed a bumper Paris Air Show confirming multiple orders, including its biggest single purchase agreement. Meanwhile, Airbus has also confirmed it remains on target to meet its 2023 global recruitment intentions.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 Family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation. The latest agreement takes IndiGo’s total number of Airbus aircraft on order to 1,330, establishing its position as the world’s biggest A320 Family customer.
Air India has firmed up its order for 250 Airbus aircraft and selected an Airbus maintenance and digital package to power the airline’s transformation and growth strategy. The aircraft order includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets. The airline had signed a letter of intent to acquire these aircraft in February 2023.
Airbus has enjoyed a bumper Paris Air Show, including its biggest-ever order. All wings on Airbus commercial aircraft are designed in the UK and the majority built in North Wales / Picture: Airbus
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Mexican ultra-low-cost airline and all-Airbus operator Volaris has disclosed 25 A321neo aircraft from a purchase agreement signed in October 2022. These aircraft bring the Volaris total backlog to 143 A320neo Family aircraft, which will support the airline’s continuous fleet renewal and expansion, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has finalised a purchase agreement with Airbus for the firm order of nine A350-1000 long range aircraft, and international leasing company Avolon has signed a memorandum of understanding to order 20 A330neo aircraft. Avolon said the selection of the A330-900 reflects its vision to secure the earliest available slots, to take advantage of growing wide-body demand around the world.
Airbus has an 11,000-strong total UK workforce and a £4.4bn UK turnover / Picture: Airbus
Meanwhile, Airbus said it was progressing on target to recruit over 13,000 employees globally in 2023. To date, more than 7,000 of those positions have been filled despite a challenging labour market. Plans are already well underway to fill the remaining positions with new hires being instrumental in supporting Airbus’ production ramp-up and decarbonisation ambitions.
Thierry Baril, chief human resources & workplace officer at Airbus, said: “We are happy to see that Airbus remains attractive despite the labour market challenges. Our recruitment efforts are paying-off and will continue to support our production ramp-up and company transformation. We are focused on attracting, training and developing the best diverse talents in our company to help us shape the future of sustainable aerospace.”