With the recent delivery of a brand-new A320 series passenger aircraft by European Airbus to Saudi Arabian Airlines, the cumulative delivery volume of this classic model has officially surpassed that of the Boeing 737 series, making it the civil airliner with the largest delivery volume in aviation history. This marks that in the competition of medium and short-range narrow-body passenger aircraft that has lasted for more than half a century, Airbus has surpassed Boeing in global cumulative deliveries for the first time, becoming a new milestone in the industry.
According to the latest news reports, Airbus stated in the early hours of October 8th, confirming that the total delivery volume of the A320 series reached 12,260 aircraft, officially surpassing the 12,250 aircraft of the Boeing 737. This figure has been verified by independent aviation data agency Cirium and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Airbus said it will continue to deliver more than 200 A320neo aircraft by the end of the year to meet the strong recovery demand in the global aviation market. Meanwhile, Boeing responded that it is fully committed to promoting the production of the 737 MAX series and strengthening safety supervision, hoping to regain its leading position in the industry by 2026.
The success of the Airbus A320 can be traced back to the numerous innovative designs adopted during its maiden flight in 1987. It is the world’s first single-aisle passenger aircraft to adopt a digital Fly-by-wire control system. Its advanced automation system, fuel efficiency, and comfort design have quickly won the favor of airlines. From the early A320 to the A321neo series, Airbus has continuously enhanced performance through new engines, lightweight materials, and optimized wing structures to meet the balancing demands of airlines between cost and environmental protection.
In contrast, the Boeing 737 series has been the “mainstay” of the global air transport industry since its introduction in the 1960s. It established the industry standard for narrow-body passenger aircraft with stable performance and high economy, and reached a production peak in the 1990s. However, the September 11 attacks in 2001 led to a contraction in the global aviation market. Boeing was forced to cut production, while Airbus keenly turned to the emerging low-cost aviation market and won a large number of new orders.
After entering the 21st century, the competition between the two major manufacturers intensified. The Boeing 737 MAX series was originally highly expected to compete with the Airbus A320neo. However, in October 2018 and March 2019, two air crashes involving the 737 MAX claimed a total of 346 lives. The investigation shows that the accident is related to the design defect of the automatic anti-stall system (MCAS). The incident not only led to the long-term grounding of this model worldwide but also dealt a heavy blow to Boeing’s reputation. Despite Boeing’s subsequent software corrections and resumption of production, the delivery speed has never fully recovered.
Meanwhile, Airbus has been continuously increasing its market share with the A320neo series. Its fuel-saving rate has increased by 15% to 20% compared to the previous generation of models, and it also meets the dual pressure of airlines on carbon emissions and operating costs. Reuters, citing industry analysis, pointed out that against the backdrop of the current aviation industry’s recovery, orders for the A320neo series remain strong, accounting for approximately 70% of Airbus’ total civil aircraft deliveries.
In addition, Airbus has demonstrated greater resilience in its supply chain management and global production system. In addition to its main factory in Toulouse, France, it also has assembly lines in Hamburg, Germany, Tianjin, China, and Mobile, USA. This layout enables it to effectively diversify risks and flexibly respond to regional demands. In contrast, Boeing’s issues of component shortage and quality inspection in the 737 production process have not been completely resolved.
According to industry observers’ analysis, the A320 series surpassing the 737 is not only a victory in terms of delivery volume, but also reflects the transformation of the global aviation market structure. The past operation model that relied on large hub airports is gradually being replaced by “point-to-point” routes and regional operations. Low-cost airlines have become mainstream, and the A320 is the biggest beneficiary of this trend.
At present, Airbus still maintains an order reserve of approximately 19,000 civil aircraft, with the A320 series accounting for more than half of the orders. Boeing is striving to restore market trust and promote the delivery of the new generation of 737 MAX series. It is widely believed in the industry that the competition between Airbus and Boeing in the single-aisle passenger aircraft market will continue in the next decade, but Airbus’s breakthrough this time undoubtedly rewrites an important chapter in the history of aviation.
According to a forecast report jointly released by Reuters and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the United Nations, the global civil aviation industry is expected to witness significant growth before 2030, especially in the medium and short-haul markets in Asia and the Middle East, where demand is strong. Industry experts point out that the leading advantages of the Airbus A320 series in stable delivery, fuel economy, and operation and maintenance efficiency may continue to expand its market dominance in the coming years.
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