Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Although it did not have any new orders to report at the Singapore Airshow as of Tuesday afternoon, Airbus’ commercial backlog has reached a record high at 8,754 airplanes. During 2025, Airbus reached a milestone of 25,000 total orders since the company’s founding, 16,756 of which have been delivered, according to senior v-p of marketing Joost van der Heijden. Deliveries last year totaled 793, of which 278 were for Asia-Pacific operators.
The region now accounts for 9,000 Airbus employees, 5,000 airplanes, and 3,100 of the backlog. In 2025, Airbus logged 1,000 new orders and 330 in Asia-Pacific, he said. That backlog includes more than 2,600 A220s and A320neos. “The A220 makes new, long, thin routes available,” van der Heijden said. “The Asia-Pacific is moving into the next phase of network development. Routes are long…and it’s perfect for 550 new city pairs.”
With the A321XLR's extended range opening up more routes, airlines can increase their service levels, leading to more orders.
At the Singapore Airshow, the star of Airbus’ static display is the A350-1000, and the company is showing off new Airspace first-class cabin designs during this year’s event. The company’s widebody backlog is now 1,124 airplanes, of which 135 are A350-1000s. Adding a new rear center fuel tank brings the A350-1000’s range to 9,800 nm, enabling Sydney-to-London flights of 20 hours or more. “Airbus holds 56% of the Asia-Pacific widebody backlog,” van der Heijden said.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Airbus's 2025 Milestones Include Massive Order Backlog

Last year's deliveres included 793 airplanes, of which 278 were for Asia-Pacific airlines

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