Airbus posts half-year results, maintains 2023 guidance

Airbus has reported consolidated financial results for the half-year (H1) ended June 30, 2023.

“During the first half of 2023 we progressed well across our businesses in an operational environment that remains complex. Our commercial aircraft are in strong demand, as demonstrated by more than 800 orders announced at the Paris Air Show. This demand is driven both by growth and fleet replacement as airlines invest in more fuel-efficient fleets,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer. “Based on this H1 performance, we maintain our 2023 guidance.”

Gross commercial aircraft orders totalled 1,080 (H1 2022: 442 aircraft) with net orders of 1,044 aircraft after cancellations (H1 2022: 259 aircraft). The order backlog amounted to a record 7,967 commercial aircraft at the end of June 2023. Airbus Helicopters registered 131 net orders (H1 2022: 163 units) which were well spread across programmes and included 19 H160s. Airbus Defence and Space’s order intake by value was €6.0 billion (H1 2022: €6.5 billion), including 4 new-build and 5 converted A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft for Canada.

Consolidated revenues increased 11 percent year-on-year to €27.7 billion (H1 2022: €24.8 billion). A total of 316 commercial aircraft were delivered (H1 2022: 297 aircraft), comprising 25 A220s, 256 A320 Family, 14 A330sand 21 A350s. Revenues generated by Airbus’ commercial aircraft activities increased 16 percent, mainly reflecting the higher number of deliveries. Airbus Helicopters’ deliveries increased to 145 units (H1 2022: 115 units), mainly driven by the Light helicopter segment. The Division’s revenues rose 16 percent, mainly reflecting a solid performance across programmes and services. Revenues at Airbus Defence and Space decreased 8 percent, mainly driven by delays in Space Systems and delivery phasing in Military Air Systems. Three A400M military airlifters were delivered in H1 2023.

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, restructuring or foreign exchange impacts as well as capital gains/losses from the disposal and acquisition of businesses – was €2,618 million (H1 2022: €2,645 million).

EBIT Adjusted related to Airbus’ commercial aircraft activities was broadly stable at €2,256 million (H1 2022: €2,276 million). The positive effect from the increase in deliveries, supported by a more favourable hedge rate, was partially reduced by investments for preparing the future. H1 2022 included the non-recurring positive impact from retirement obligations partly offset by the impact resulting from international sanctions against Russia. In H1 2023, further progress was made on compliance related topics which allowed provisions to be released.

The ramp-up on the A220 programme is continuing towards a monthly production rate of 14 aircraft in the middle of the decade. On the A320 Family programme, production is progressing well towards the previously announced rate of 75 aircraft per month in 2026. Tactical adjustments to production planning will continue to be made as required to meet this target rate, which is now the key reference point for the Company and the supply chain. The recent inauguration of a new A321 capable final assembly line in Toulouse is the latest concrete milestone in the development of Airbus’ global industrial system. On the A321XLR, the flight test programme is progressing towards the expected entry-into-service in Q2 2024.

On widebody aircraft, the company continues to target rate 4 for the A330 in 2024 and rate 9 for the A350 at the end of 2025.

Airbus Helicopters’ EBIT Adjusted increased to €274 million (H1 2022: €215 million), reflecting the solid performance across programmes and services. H1 2022 also included net positive non-recurring elements.