Airbus has "solid" results with a record order book

Airbus has said it will increase production of its new A350 aircraft as it reveals a 15% increase in net profits for 2015 and a record order book.

The firm, which employs around 15,000 in the UK, said it would boost production of its long-range widebody A330 to seven a month.

This is in line with growing air traffic forecasts this year.

It said its A380 superjumbo had broken even for the first time.

The company, based in France, saw net profits of €2.7bn (£2.1bn) helped by operational efficiencies and a record order book.

Last year the European plane maker received orders for 1,080 commercial aircraft.

Airbus has major sites in Filton, near Bristol and Broughton, North Wales where wings for the planes are made and assembled.

Chief Executive Tom Enders called its results "solid" and said:" The record order book supports our commercial aircraft ramp-up plans and we are driving operational efficiency."

The firm said it expects the world economy and air traffic to grow this year "in line with prevailing independent forecasts and assumes no major disruptions."

It plans to deliver more than 650 planes and expects its commercial order book to continue to grow.

The business also makes corporate and freighter aircraft as well as helicopters and telecommunication satellites.