Airbus releases strong nine-months financial results amidst global operational challenges

Airbus has unveiled its consolidated financial outcomes for the nine months concluding on September 30, 2023. The company reported that gross commercial aircraft orders totalled 1,280 (9m 2022: 856 aircraft) with net orders of 1,241 aircraft after cancellations (9m 2022: 647 aircraft). The order backlog amounted to 7,992 commercial aircraft at the end of September 2023. Airbus Helicopters registered 191 net orders (9m 2022: 246 units) which were well spread across programmes. Airbus Defence and Space’s order intake by value was € 8.5 billion (9m 2022: € 8.0 billion), including the renewal of the in-service support contract for Germany’s A400M fleet.

Consolidated revenues in the nine months increased 12% year-on-year to €42.6 billion (9m 2022: €38.1 billion). A total of 488 commercial aircraft were delivered (9m 2022: 437 aircraft), comprising 41 A220s, 391 A320-family aircraft, 20 A330s and 36 A350s. Revenues generated by Airbus’ commercial aircraft activities increased 18%, mainly reflecting the higher number of deliveries. Airbus Helicopters’ deliveries increased slightly to 197 units (9m 2022: 193 units) with revenues rising three percent, reflecting the overall performance across programmes and services. Revenues at Airbus Defence and Space decreased six percent, mainly driven by a backloaded A400M delivery profile and updated estimates at completion of certain satellite development programmes. A total of four A400M military airlifters were delivered (9m 2022: 7 aircraft).

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 €3,631 million (9m 2022: €3,481 million).

EBIT Adjusted related to Airbus’ commercial aircraft activities increased to €3,216 million in the nine months (9m 2022: €2,875 million), reflecting the higher deliveries and a more favourable hedge rate, partially offset by investments for preparing the future.

The ramp-up on the A220 programme is continuing towards a monthly production rate of 14 aircraft in 2026. Production on the A320-family programme is progressing well towards the previously announced rate of 75 aircraft per month in 2026. The modernisation and digitalisation of the industrial system continues, as illustrated by the inauguration of the A321XLR equipment installation hangar in Hamburg. The A321XLR is progressing towards certification, with entry-into-service expected to take place in Q2 2024.

On wide-body aircraft, the company has decided to increase the production rate for the A350 to ten aircraft a month in 2026 and continues to target rate four for the A330 in 2024.

Airbus Helicopters’ EBIT Adjusted increased to €417 million in the nine months (9m 2022: €380 million), reflecting the overall performance across programmes and services. 9m 2022 also included net positive non-recurring elements.

EBIT Adjusted at Airbus Defence and Space decreased to €-1 million (9m 2022: €231 million). It included charges of €0.4 billion related to updated estimates at completion of certain satellite development programmes, mostly recorded in the third quarter. 9m 2022 also included net positive non-recurring elements. (£1.00 = €1.15 at time of publication).