Toulouse, 17 January 2002
In 2001 Airbus continued to achieve healthy commercial results despite a general economic slowdown, which deteriorated significantly after the tragic events of 11th September. With its state-of-the-art product line, a wise industrial policy combined with rigorous order book management and a truly customer-minded approach, Airbus was able to consolidate its leading position on the civil aviation market.
In line with start of year forecasts, Airbus obtained 375 new firm orders worth US$ 44.7 billion in 2001, representing 53 per cent of the market in terms of aircraft units and an impressive 61 percent market share in terms of value. While the number of aircraft sold by Airbus in 2001 was lower than in 2000, as predicted, its large aircraft sales almost tripled, contributing to a US$ 3.4 billion increase in the value of its order intake. Firm orders booked in 2001 comprised 175 A320 Family aircraft, 61 A300-600 widebody twins, 54 long range A330/A340s and 85 A380s. With the addition of 12 commitments for Airbus’ new Superjumbo, the A380 won almost 100 orders in just one year following its commercial launch, a resounding market success
In 2001 Airbus delivered a record of 325 aircraft, comprised of 257 single-aisles and 68 widebody and long range airliners, generating a turnover of 20.5 billion euros, its highest ever.
Airbus year-end total sales stood at 4,399 orders, which takes into account 101 cancellations of which 90 per cent are the result of companies faced with bankruptcy. A prudent and conservative approach to these cancellations, some of which may yet re-enter the orderbook, ensures a solid and healthy order backlog comprised of sales to financially sound customers. Following these cancellations, the 2001 net order intake stands at 274 aircraft worth US$37.3 billion representing a 50.2 per cent market share in terms of aircraft numbers and a 61 per cent net market share in value.
Indeed, with cumulative deliveries at year-end totalling 2,824, Airbus’ order backlog of 1,575 stands well ahead of the competition's for the second year running and represents 54 per cent of all large commercial aircraft on order which are yet to be delivered. This solid backlog represents up to five years of production at current rates.
2001 was a very significant year for Airbus as a company. After 31 years of existence as a GIE, it became a fully integrated company while continuing successfully its day-to-day business. It also opened a new stage of European integration in the military field, with the signature of the 18 billion Euros A400M airlifter contract between Airbus Military and the joint European procurement body OCCAR in December. The enforcement of this contract is expected shortly. In terms of aircraft development, in addition to on-going work for the A380 programme, 2001 saw the maiden flight of the A340-600 in April while ultimate preparations were made at the turn of the year for the maiden flight of the A318 which, as scheduled, took place this week.
Presenting Airbus 2001 results today in Paris, Airbus President and Chief Executive Noël Forgeard stressed that while he hoped the coming year would be more serene than 2001, Airbus was taking a number of appropriate measures to manage the short-term difficulties generated by the current industry-wide downturn. "Thanks to our healthy backlog and to the modern and highly efficient product line we offer, we are in a position to face the challenges ahead with confidence," he asserted.
Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a truly global organisation with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as fully owned subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.
