Airbus is celebrating 60 years of innovation:

Airbus has launched a global campaign celebrating the company’s 50 year anniversary, showcasing key moments of pioneering progress throughout the past five decades.

The campaign begins today by marking 50 years since the French Minister of Transport, Jean Chamant and the German Minister of Economic Affairs, Karl Schiller, signed an agreement at the 1969 Paris Air Show for the joint-development of the A300 aircraft, a first European twin-aisle twin-engine jet for medium-haul air travel.

Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus said: “Airbus’ story is one of ambition and progress, and has been a showcase of European integration. Over five decades, we have brought together civil and defence aviation businesses from throughout the continent. For 50 years, we have pioneered many firsts through our passion and innovation, transforming the industry and helping to move society forward. Airbus is a story of incredible men and women, a story of great achievements in the past and, above all, in the future.”

Photo: Air France.

Photo: Lufthansa.

Photo: Turkish Airlines.

Running from 29 May to 17 July, the campaign will bring stories to life through new, engaging content published across Airbus channels. With a new story released each day, for 50 consecutive days, the campaign will highlight the people and ground-breaking innovations that have driven the company. The campaign shines a light on many different aspects of the Airbus business, including commercial aircraft, helicopters, space and defence, in addition to programmes and initiatives.

The 50th anniversary campaign also looks to the future, exploring how Airbus continues to shape the industry with pioneering innovations that address some of society’s most critical issues, whether that be pioneering electric flight to reduce emissions, digitising aerospace design, or developing new urban air mobility options.

Photo: Air Canada. The first A320 for AC.

Airbus industrial sites will also celebrate this milestone, starting in Toulouse with a fly over from the full Airbus Commercial Aircraft family accompanied by the Patrouille de France at 12:00pm today.

All other photos by Airbus.

Video:

Airbus issued this statement:

In 1969, European aerospace was in the doldrums. The sector’s once-illustrious names had faded and, competing against each other, lagged far behind the Americans, who commanded more than 80% of the market for commercial aircraft. Against this backdrop, on 29^th May 1969, ministers from Germany and France agreed a new approach: a partnership between European nations, later joined by Spain and the UK, to develop the first Airbus aircraft, the twin-aisle A300.

Frankly, few people gave this pan-European venture much hope of success. Yet from that seed has flowered a global aerospace champion.

Ahead of this month’s European Parliament elections, the message must be heard that a strong and confident European Union is vital to Europe’s economic future amid populist nationalism, fragile growth and simmering trade tensions. It is certainly the lesson of Airbus’s past and present as the European aerospace manufacturer celebrates its 50^th anniversary, also this month.

Airbus has been a triumph of European integration. Over five decades, we have brought together civil and defence aviation businesses from throughout the continent, reducing costs and duplication. Today, Airbus produces half of the world’s large commercial aircraft and has thriving helicopter, defence and space businesses. We employ 130,000 highly-skilled people globally and are a powerful engine of productivity, exports and innovation for Europe.

Ours has been a heady story of political co-operation, transatlantic rivalry and headline-grabbing sales coups, all underpinned by the quiet excellence of generations of engineers who have helped to make air travel safer, more fuel-efficient and accessible to hundreds of millions of new passengers all over the world.

Landmark innovations have propelled Airbus’s growth. Since 2014, our A350 aircraft, built with advanced lightweight composite materials, have reduced CO2 emissions on long-haul flights by 25% compared to many older jetliners. Our ability to move our parts, people and technology freely throughout Europe is at the heart of our business.

What’s next? The aerospace industry stands on the cusp of a technological revolution to match anything in its history. Digital technology, autonomous flight, artificial intelligence and electrification will transform the way aircraft are designed, manufactured, flown and maintained. It’s already being called aerospace’s new “golden age” and will herald tougher competition and the emergence of new aviation powerhouses.

European aerospace should aspire to lead this coming revolution in innovation and the transition to a more sustainable aviation sector. The EU’s flagship innovation programmes are well placed to nurture the radical technologies that will allow Europe to reaffirm its aerospace leadership for decades to come.

To prosper in this changing world, Airbus needs the support of the EU more than ever. For example, the EU’s financial and political backing will be critical to the development of Europe’s next generation of satellite technology and fighter jets.

Amid protectionism and political fragmentation, the bloc must continue to champion free trade in Europe and beyond. The EU should also remain grounded in the geo-political reality of global aerospace: the sector’s strategic significance means the EU’s ability to project a strong, united voice has a direct bearing on Europe’s prospects.

Airbus can thus renew the legacy of our founders who came together 50 years ago with an ambitious vision of innovation and international partnership – and the nerve to realize it.

The world of 1969 vanished long ago, but theirs remains a story for our times.

Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) reported First Quarter (Q1) 2019 consolidated financial results⁽¹⁾ and maintained its guidance for the full-year.

“The first quarter underlying financials mainly reflect our commercial aircraft ramp-up and delivery phasing,” said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury. “The commercial aircraft market remains robust and we continue to see good prospects in the helicopters and defence and space businesses. The new management team is in place and focused on delivering on our commitments.”

Gross commercial aircraft orders totalled 62 (Q1 2018: 68 aircraft) and included 38 A350 XWBs. Net commercial aircraft orders of -58 (Q1 2018: 45 aircraft) after 120 cancellations mainly reflect the winding down of the A380 programme and the commercial agreement with Etihad as communicated in the Full-Year 2018 disclosure. The commercial aircraft backlog stood at 7,357 aircraft as of 31 March 2019. Net helicopter orders of 66 units (Q1 2018: 104 units) included 20 Super Puma Family and 16 H145s. Airbus Defence and Space’s order intake by value totalled  € 1.1 billion.

Consolidated revenues increased to € 12.5 billion (Q1 2018: € 10.1 billion), mainly reflecting the higher commercial aircraft deliveries as the production ramp-up continued. At Airbus, a total of 162 commercial aircraft were delivered (Q1 2018: 121 aircraft), comprising 8 A220s, 126 A320 Family, 5 A330s, 22 A350s and 1 A380. Airbus Helicopters delivered 46 units (Q1 2018: 52 units) with increased revenues reflecting the higher volume in services. Revenues at Airbus Defence and Space reflected the overall stable business performance.

Consolidated EBIT Adjusted – an alternative performance measure and key indicator capturing the underlying business margin by excluding material charges or profits caused by movements in provisions related to programmes, restructurings or foreign exchange impacts as well as capital gains/losses from the disposal and acquisition of businesses – increased strongly to € 549 million (Q1 2018: € 14 million), driven by Airbus.

Airbus’ EBIT Adjusted improved to € 536 million (Q1 2018: € -41 million), mainly reflecting the A320neo ramp-up and premium as well as further progress on the A350 financial performance.

A total of 96 A320neo Family aircraft were delivered in the quarter. The ramp-up of the Airbus Cabin Flex version of the A321 continued in Q1 but remains challenging. Airbus is working to improve execution in its internal industrial systems and monitoring engine performance. The overall A320 Family programme is on track to reach 60 aircraft per month by mid-2019 and preparing for rate 63 in 2021. On the A330 programme, 5 aircraft were delivered in the first quarter, including 3 NEOs. A330neo deliveries continue to ramp-up and Airbus is working closely with its engine partner and suppliers to deliver in line with customer commitments. The flight test campaign of the A330-800 variant is progressing.

Airbus Helicopters’ EBIT Adjusted totalled € 15 million (Q1 2018: € -3 million), reflecting lower deliveries and higher volume in services.

Airbus Defence and Space’s EBIT Adjusted of € 101 million (Q1 2018: € 112 million) reflected the Division’s overall stable business performance.

One A400M military transport aircraft was delivered in the first quarter, bringing the in-service fleet to 75 aircraft. Development activities continued as agreed in the revised capability roadmap, with certification flights successfully completed for the Cargo Hold Tanks refuelling unit in the first quarter. A400M retrofit activities are progressing in line with the customer agreed plan. The  approval process of the Contract Amendment is progressing.

Consolidated self-financed R&D expenses totalled € 654 million (Q1 2018: € 616 million).

Consolidated EBIT (reported) amounted to € 181 million (Q1 2018: € 199 million), including Adjustments totalling a net € -368 million. These Adjustments mainly comprised:

• A negative € -190 million as a consequence of the prolonged suspension of defence export licences to Saudi Arabia by the German government;

• A negative impact of € -83 million relating to the dollar pre-delivery payment mismatch and balance sheet revaluation;

• A negative € -61 million related to A380 programme cost.

Consolidated reported earnings per share of € 0.05 (Q1 2018: € 0.37) included a negative adjustment for foreign exchange hedges in the financial result corresponding to the prolonged suspension of defence export licences. The financial result was € -43 million (Q1 2018: € 39 million). The financial impacts recorded in the Q1 2019 Financial Statements relating to the prolonged suspension of defence export licences also impacted the effective tax rate. Consolidated net income⁽²⁾ was € 40 million (Q1 2018: € 283 million).

Consolidated free cash flow before M&A and customer financing of € -4,341 million (Q1 2018: € -3,839 million), mainly reflected the inventory build to support the production ramp-up, improved engine delivery stream and other changes in working capital. Consolidated free cash flow was € -4,448 million (Q1 2018: € -3,656 million).

On 1 January 2019, the Company adopted the IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ accounting standard, whereby most operating leases must now be recorded on the balance sheet. The corresponding commitments are booked as financing liabilities, which being part of the Company’s definition of net cash, means the net cash position is mechanically reduced by around € 1.4 billion. The consolidated net cash position was € 7.5 billion on 31 March 2019 (year-end 2018: € 13.3 billion) with a gross cash position of € 18.5 billion (year-end 2018: € 22.2 billion).

Outlook

As the basis for its 2019 guidance, the Company expects the world economy and air traffic to grow in line with prevailing independent forecasts, which assume no major disruptions.

The 2019 earnings and Free Cash Flow guidance is before M&A.

• Airbus targets 880 to 890 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2019.

• On that basis:
  Airbus expects to deliver an increase in EBIT Adjusted of approximately +15% compared to 2018 and FCF before M&A and Customer Financing of approximately € 4 billion.

Airbus made this announcement:

Airbus and China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) signed a General Terms Agreement (GTA) covering the purchase by Chinese airlines of a total of 300 Airbus aircraft. The GTA was signed in Paris, France by Guillaume Faury, President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft and future Airbus CEO; and Jia Baojun, Chairman of CAS; in the presence of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The GTA comprises of 290 A320 Family aircraft and 10 A350 XWB Family aircraft, reflecting the strong demand in all market segments including domestic, low cost, regional and international long haul from Chinese carriers.

According to Airbus’ latest China Market Forecast 2018 to 2037, China will need some 7,400 new passenger and freighters aircraft in the next 20 years. It represents more than 19 percent of the world total demand for over 37,400 new aircraft.

By the end of January 2019, the in-service Airbus fleet with Chinese operators totaled some 1,730 aircraft, of which 1,455 are A320 Family, and 17 are A350 XWB Family planes.

With more than 14,600 A320 Family aircraft ordered and over 8,600 delivered, the A320 is the world’s most successful single-aisle aircraft Family. Of these, the A320neo Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle aircraft with over 6,500 orders from over 100 customers since its launch in 2010. It has pioneered and incorporated the latest technologies, including its new generation engines and the industry’s reference cabin design, delivering 20 percent fuel cost savings alone. The A320neo also offers significant environmental benefits with nearly a 50 percent reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.

Photos: Airbus.