Bangkok--29 Oct--Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Airbus received another boost last week, following the successful launch of A380 revenue services at the weekend, with an order for 20 A350XWBs by aircraft lessor, International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC). Chairman and CEO of ILFC, the influential Steven Udvar-Hazy, stated, “Airbus is now offering an outstanding product which satisfies the market and our requirements”. The endorsement is good news for the airline industry, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, whose airlines will be big purchasers of mid-size widebody aircraft in the years ahead. A competitive aircraft supply market will help airlines keep costs down. ILFC has been a strong supporter of the B787 programme, progressively increasing its firm orders from 16 to 74 — the most of any customer. The lessor had failed to re-confirm its order for 16 A350s after the original design was scrapped by Airbus in 2006. ILFC’s about face now takes the A350 XWB sales tally to 196 from nine customers. ILFC is Airbus' largest single customer worldwide with over 600 aircraft on order. Meanwhile, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO, Scott Carson, stated that commercial aircraft orders could plateau or decline next year from the heights set over the past three years. Boeing now has 919 firm orders this year — just shy of its record setting year in 2006 when 1,044 aircraft were ordered. Just last month, Boeing Chairman & CEO, Jim McNerney, stated, “the case for an extended strong order cycle for commercial aircraft is very good. Market conditions - including a need for US airlines to update their fleets, global growth of airline passenger traffic and the added efficiency of new planes - will continue to drive orders”. Carson declined to make a specific forecast, but he added that the US airlines may soon be at the point of making significant orders for new aircraft to upgrade their fleets. Boeing last week reduced its 2008 revenue forecast by approximately 5%, due to a six-month delay in deliveries of initial 787 Dreamliners. The manufacturer aims to deliver 109 B787s by the end of 2009, and has shrugged off concerns the target is unachievable.Note to editors:About Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) was founded in 1990 and has since built an international reputation as the leading specialist aviation consultancy in the Asia Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East regions. CAPA Consulting’s strategic advisory services are supported by the extensive information and data services provided by the Centre’s Market Research Unit to aviation industry leaders every day. The Centre also holds regular Aviation Leadership Summits, which provide unique opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. Head Office, Sydney: Derek Sadubin, Chief Operating Officer Aurora Place, Level 4, 88 Phillip St Sydney PO Box N777, Grosvenor Place Sydney, NSW Australia 2000 Email: [email protected] Southeast Asia Regional Office: Richard Pinkham, Regional Director, Southeast Asia Email: [email protected] Indian Subcontinent and Middle East Office: Kapil Kaul, CEO Indian Subcontinent & Middle East Email: [email protected] UK/Europe Office: David Bentley, UK Associate Email: [email protected] North America Regional Office: Martti Raito, Regional Director, North America Email: [email protected] North Asia Representatives: Korea: Kyung-sup Lee. Email: [email protected] Japan: Reiko Sonoyama. Email: [email protected] More information is available on the Centre’s website: www.centreforaviation.com