(Paris) Airbus saw its net profit fall by 20% over one year to 1.53 billion euros in the first half, still marked by the difficulties of its suppliers which thwart its ramp-up, the European aircraft manufacturer announced on Wednesday. .
The turnover of the aircraft manufacturer, which managed to deliver 316 commercial aircraft between January and June against 297 during the same period last year, on the other hand, increased by 11% to 27.7 billion euros.
“Revenue from Airbus’ commercial aircraft business grew by 16% driven by increased deliveries,” the company said in a statement.
The Airbus Helicopters division saw its turnover increase by 16% thanks to an increase in deliveries to 145 units, 30 more than in the first half of 2022.
Airbus Defense and Space’s revenue fell by 8%, detailed Airbus, a poor performance “mainly due to delays” in space programs and a staggering of deliveries of military aircraft.
The company was pleased to have garnered 1,044 net orders for commercial aircraft in the first half, including more than 800 at the Paris Air Show in June. This already allows Airbus to approach the annual totals of 2022 (1047) and 2019 (1048), the record dating from 2014 (1590).
“Our various business lines have made good progress in a still complex operating environment,” summarized Airbus Executive Chairman Guillaume Faury, alluding to supply issues and labor shortages.
As of June 30, the aircraft manufacturer’s order book stood at 7,967 aircraft, including 6,740 from the A320 family, a “record” that leads Airbus to “continue to focus on increasing production”, added Mr. Faury in a press conference call.
But “our deliveries continue to depend on the pace of a few crucial suppliers. Our teams continue to work closely with them to anticipate, prevent and mitigate disruptions, as much as possible,” he conceded.
After the announcement Tuesday by the engine manufacturer Pratt
Mr. Faury, however, did not advance on possible consequences “in 2024-2025”, when the American company will have to produce spare parts for the affected engines at the same time as for the reactors of new aircraft. .
The PW1100 engines in question are fitted to almost 40% of the A320neo.
Airbus on Wednesday confirmed all of its annual targets for 2023, including the delivery of 720 aircraft.
It also confirmed its intention to deliver 75 monthly copies of its flagship single-aisle A320s and A321s by 2026, which is “on track”.
“This objective […] is now the main reference point for the group and for the supply chain”, said Airbus, which no longer mentions the intermediate ambition to reach 65 A320 Family aircraft by the end of 2024.
“We will continue to make the necessary tactical adjustments to production planning,” added the company, which two weeks ago inaugurated a new assembly line for these A320 aircraft in its stronghold of Toulouse.
On the jumbo jet side, Airbus “is still aiming for a rate of four aircraft per month for the A330 in 2024 and 9 for the A350 at the end of 2025”.
