Airbus has said it built more aircraft during 2010 than in any year of its history.

Last year the aircraft manufacturer produced 510 commercial aeroplanes, compared with a total of 498 in 2009.

Deliveries, including 18 A380 superjumbos, were made to around 90 customers throughout the year, the company reported.

It sold 574 commercial planes for a total of £46.6 billion, some of which are likely to use London Luton Airport or Stansted Airport.

Airbus, which has the wings of its aircraft made at plants in the UK, said it now controls 52% of the global market in aeroplanes which have at least 100 seats.

Firms ordered 32 A380 superjumbos from Airbus last year, a figure which revealed public faith in the aircraft despite an alarming incident in which one of the planes flying for Qantas Airways was forced to turn back to Singapore.

The firm’s president and chief executive Tom Enders said: “2010 was a good year, in fact better than expected 12 months ago. The market rebound and improved programme performance has been particularly encouraging.”

Mr Enders added: “However, with plenty of challenges, especially in our development programmes, we’ll have to work hard to further improve and also make 2011 a successful year for Airbus.”

 Copyright Press Association 2011

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