Airbus delivers its 10,000th aircraft today.

Airbus has delivered its 10,000th aircraft today – an A350-900 for Singapore Airlines jet is being handed over at special ceremony in Toulouse hosted by Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders.

The aircraft delivered today is the sixth A350-900 for Singapore Airlines, out of a total order for 67 and features a “10,000th Airbus” logo.

The new aircraft will be used to launch the airline’s new non-stop services between Singapore and San Francisco later this month.

We’re excited to be celebrating a special milestone today! #Airbus10000 #SingaporeAirA350 pic.twitter.com/2K1mfaGWkb

— Singapore Airlines (@SingaporeAir) October 14, 2016

The 10,000th Airbus delivery comes at a time when Airbus say they achieved their highest level of production ever and are on track to deliver at least 650 aircraft this year from their product lines.

Tom Enders, Airbus Group CEO said;

“Since our earliest days innovation has been at the heart of everything we do at Airbus, this has seen us develop what is today the world’s most modern and comprehensive aircraft family. And with a strong emphasis on R&T, continuous innovation and product improvement, we will ensure that we remain ahead of the curve, delivering airlines the best our industry has to offer.”

“We are especially proud to celebrate this milestone with Singapore Airlines – one of our longest standing customers and a true partner. Today, the SIA Group operates aircraft from across our complete product line and with the highest levels of technical excellence. There is no better endorsement for our products and we thank the entire SIA Group for its ongoing confidence, partnership and support.”

Airbus delivered its first aircraft, an A300B2, to Air France on 10 May 1974.

First wings to be sent from Broughton

Initially working exclusively in the widebody sector with the A300 and A310, the manufacturer moved into the single aisle market in the mid-1980s with the launch of the best-selling A320.

Setting new standards in aircraft design, technologies introduced on the A320 were subsequently incorporated on the A330 and A340 in the early 1990s, marking the first time that single aisle and widebody aircraft benefitted from similar operational characteristics.

This high level of design commonality is unique to Airbus aircraft types and has been retained across the company’s product line ever since, including on the double deck A380 and the all-new long range A350 XWB which entered service last year.

Through the company’s process of continuous product improvement, the Airbus product line has been regularly enhanced over the years with each subsequent development bringing significant benefits in terms of fuel efficiency, operational reliability and passenger comfort.

In recent years this has recently seen the company invest in the A320neo Family, which entered commercial service this year, and the A330neo Family, currently in development and with first delivery planned for the end of 2017.