A FILTON-based aerospace firm is celebrating a record-breaking year after exceeding its targets.

Airbus, who employ about 4,000 people in Filton, achieved a new record of 629 aircraft deliveries for 89 customers, including eight new ones, in 2014.

This production achievement means that the aircraft manufacturing firm has seen its annual aircraft delivery figure go up for the 13th consecutive year, surpassing the record it set in 2014.

Airbus also received 1,456 net orders from 67 customers – its second best year ever. As a result, by the end of 2014 the firm’s backlog had climbed to an industry record of 6,386 aircraft valued at $929.3 billion (about £609 billion).

Airbus now commands more than 50 per cent market share for aircraft with more than 100 seats.

At the firm’s annual press conference Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier celebrated a “landmark year” for the company.

“2014 has been an excellent year and the teams in Airbus not only delivered on, but exceeded their targets and commitments,” he said. “Airbus also made strong progress towards a faster, simpler and more agile company, while our strategy of incremental innovation is helping to consolidate our market-leading position in all categories.”

Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer of passenger airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats.