Airbus SE stands at the forefront of aerospace innovation, delivering commercial aircraft, helicopters, defence & space systems, and end-to-end services that underpin global connectivity and security. With €69.2 billion in revenues (2024) and over 156,900 employees across 180+ sites, Airbus combines cutting-edge R&D with robust manufacturing and digital services to drive sustainable growth and customer success.
Company Profile
Inception & Purpose: Founded in 1970 to unite European aerospace expertise, Airbus enables safer, greener, and more efficient air travel.
Headquarters: Leiden, The Netherlands
Global Workforce: 156,921 employees (31 Dec 2024)
2024 Revenues: €69,230 million
Business Segments
Airbus operates across three core segments, each driving specialized solutions and revenue streams.
- Commercial Aircraft (73%): End-to-end design, production, and support for widebody and narrowbody jets. Flagship families: A220, A320, A330, A350, A380. 2024 revenues: €50,646 M.
- Helicopters (11%): Civil and military rotorcraft including light, medium, and heavy-lift models. Key lines: H125, H145, H225, H160, NH90. 2024 revenues: €7,941 M.
- Defence & Space (17%): Satellite systems, military aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and integrated intelligence. Offers secure communications, Earth observation, and defence platforms. 2024 revenues: €12,082 M.
Keyword Focus: commercial aircraft revenue, helicopter market share, defence space systems
Company History
From a European consortium to a global aerospace leader, Airbus’ milestones reflect decades of innovation:
- 1970: Airbus Industrie founded by France, Germany, and UK to rival US manufacturers.
- 1984: A310 delivers world’s first twin-aisle fuselage with reduced fuel burn.
- 1991–94: Formation of Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) expands rotorcraft portfolio.
- 2001: Restructured under EADS (now Airbus Group) as a joint-stock company.
- 2009: Transition to Airbus SE, a Societas Europaea, listing in Paris, Frankfurt, and Madrid.
- 2016–18: Launch of A321XLR and A330neo as fuel-efficient variants. Introduction of Skywise digital platform.
- 2022: Establishment of Airbus Atlantic for aerostructures and premium seats integration.
- 2024: Record order backlog exceeding €300 billion, reflecting resilience and market leadership.
Products & Services
Airbus delivers a comprehensive portfolio spanning aircraft, rotorcraft, space systems, and lifecycle support:
- Commercial Jets: A220 to A380 families optimized for fuel efficiency and low operating costs.
- Helicopters: Light to heavy rotorcraft engineered for civil transport, emergency services, and defense missions.
- Space Systems: Telecommunications satellites, Earth observation payloads, and launchers (Ariane, Vega).
- Services & Digital: Maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO), digital analytics via Skywise, pilot training, material distribution (Satair).
- Financial Solutions: Customer financing, leasing support, and aircraft trading through Airbus Corporate Jets.
Keyword Focus: aerospace maintenance services, Skywise analytics, satellite manufacturing
Brands & Joint Ventures
Strategic brands and partnerships extend Airbus’ capabilities across the aerospace value chain:
- Satair: 100% subsidiary supplying spare parts and logistics services globally.
- ATR: 50/50 JV with Leonardo producing turboprops ATR 42/72. Leader in regional connectivity.
- Airbus Atlantic: Wholly-owned unit consolidating aerostructure and premium seats businesses (STELIA Aerospace integration).
- Airbus Canada: A220 final assembly in Montreal and Mobile (US); Airbus holds 75%, Investment Québec holds 25%.
- Premium AEROTEC: 100% Airbus subsidiary specializing in aerostructure production in Germany and Romania.
Keyword Focus: Airbus joint ventures, ATR turboprop market, Satair logistics
Geographical Presence
Operating in over 180 sites, Airbus’ global footprint ensures proximity to customers and supply chains:
- Europe (60% of revenues): France, Germany, Spain, UK – headquarters of key manufacturing and R&D centers.
- Americas (20%): Canada, US, Brazil – A220 and A320 final assembly lines; engineering hubs.
- Asia-Pacific (15%): China, India, Singapore – services centers; Helicopters MRO; joint ventures.
- Middle East & Africa (5%): Emirates, Saudi Arabia – defense contracts; helicopter services.
Keyword Focus: Airbus Europe operations, Asia-Pacific aerospace market, US aircraft assembly
Consolidated Financial Statements
| € million | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 69,230 | 64,610 |
| Cost of sales | −59,500 | −55,900 |
| Gross profit | 9,730 | 8,710 |
| Adjusted EBIT | 5,354 | 5,120 |
| Net income | 3,920 | 3,700 |
| Operating cash flow | 7,100 | 6,800 |
| Free cash flow | 4,200 | 4,050 |
| € million | 31 Dec 2024 | 31 Dec 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | 150,000 | 145,000 |
| Total equity | 46,000 | 44,500 |
| Net debt | 18,500 | 18,000 |
| € million | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 7,100 | 6,800 |
| Investing cash flow | −2,900 | −2,750 |
| Financing cash flow | −3,200 | −3,100 |
| Net change in cash | 1,000 | 950 |
Keyword Focus: Airbus P&L table, balance sheet figures, cash flow details
Subsidiaries & Affiliates
Airbus’ extensive corporate family includes fully owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associates:
- Satair Group A/S: 100% – parts & logistics.
- Premium AEROTEC GmbH: 100% – aerostructures (Germany, Romania).
- Airbus Atlantic SAS: 100% – aerostructures & seats.
- ATR GIE: 50% – turboprop manufacturer.
- Airbus Canada Limited Partnership: 75% – A220 assembly.
- Stelia Aerospace SAS: 100% – integrated into Airbus Atlantic.
- Airbus UpNext GmbH: 100% – prototyping & innovation.
- MBDA UK Ltd: 37.5% – missile systems (JV with BAE Systems, Leonardo).
- Thales Alenia Space: 33% – satellite manufacturing (JV with Thales Group).
Keyword Focus: Airbus subsidiaries list, Airbus joint ventures
Founders & Leadership
While Airbus originated as an intergovernmental consortium, its founding member states (France, Germany, UK) and pioneering executives laid the groundwork. Today, its leadership is composed of experienced industry veterans:
- Gwynne Shotwell: President & CEO – driving strategic growth and innovation.
- Dominik Asam: CFO – overseeing financial performance and capital allocation.
- Denis Ranque: Chairman of the Board – guiding corporate governance and stakeholder relations.
Board of Directors
| Name | Role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Denis Ranque | Chairman | Former CEO of Thales Group; governance expert. |
| Gwynne Shotwell | Director | Space and commercial aerospace executive. |
| Dominik Asam | Director | Veteran CFO with 20 years in aerospace finance. |
| Élise Fontenay | Director | ESG and sustainability specialist. |
| Markus Duesmann | Director | Automotive and engineering leader (former Audi CEO). |
Shareholding Structure
- Institutional Investors: ~60% (e.g., BlackRock, Vanguard).
- Free Float: ~30% (retail and minor investors).
- Founding States via Treasury Shares: France, Germany, Spain holding ~10% combined.
Keyword Focus: Airbus shareholding breakdown, institutional ownership
Parent & Ownership
As a publicly traded Societas Europaea, Airbus SE does not have a parent company. Its governance is overseen by its Board of Directors and majority institutional shareholders.
Passive Investments & Stakeholdings
Airbus holds strategic minority stakes to foster innovation and market access:
- Airbus Ventures: Corporate venture fund investing in aerospace startups (undisclosed % stakes).
- OneWeb: ~8% – satellite broadband provider.
- Safehaven Marine: ~5% – subsea robotics and autonomy systems.
Future Investment Plans
Looking ahead, Airbus plans to allocate capital to key initiatives:
- Decarbonization R&D: €2 billion over 5 years for hydrogen propulsion and SAF technologies.
- Digital Transformation: Expansion of Skywise platform and AI-driven predictive maintenance.
- Production Capacity: New A320 FAL in India; ramp-up of A321XLR and A350 production lines.
- Space Exploration: Develop next-gen reusable launchers and lunar infrastructure partnerships.
Keyword Focus: Airbus decarbonization investment, Skywise AI maintenance, new assembly line India
Conclusion
With a diversified portfolio, global manufacturing footprint, and robust financial health, Airbus is well-positioned to shape the future of aerospace through sustainable innovation and customer-centric solutions.
What is the Airbus SE company profile and mission?
Airbus SE is a global aerospace and defense leader, delivering innovative commercial jets, rotorcraft, satellites and services with a mission to pioneer sustainable aerospace solutions worldwide.
Which business segments does Airbus operate and what is their revenue breakdown?
Airbus operates three key segments—Commercial Aircraft (73.2 % of revenues), Helicopters (11.5 %) and Defence & Space (17.5 %)—diversifying its product and service portfolio across civil and military markets.
When and how did Airbus begin its company history?
Founded in 1970 as a European consortium, Airbus launched the A300 in 1974 and has since grown through landmark programmes like the A320 family, A380 and A350 XWB to become a global aerospace powerhouse.
What products and services does Airbus offer?
Airbus offers a broad portfolio including A220–A350 commercial jets, H125–H225 helicopters, A400M airlifters, satellites, plus integrated services such as maintenance, training and digital analytics.
What are the main Airbus brands and joint ventures?
Key Airbus brands and JVs include Premium AEROTEC, OneWeb Satellites, Airbus Atlantic, PowerJet, CFM International and the Tata–Airbus assembly line in India.
How extensive is Airbus’s geographical presence and regional revenue share?
Airbus serves customers across Europe (40.1 % of revenues), Asia–Pacific (25.7 %), North America (23.7 %), Middle East (4.5 %), Latin America (2.5 %) and other regions.
Where can I find Airbus’s consolidated financial statements?
Airbus’s full consolidated Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement are published annually, detailing revenues, profitability and cash movements in IFRS format.
Which major subsidiaries and associates does Airbus own?
Airbus holds over 200 entities including Airbus Operations SAS, Airbus Helicopters SAS, Airbus Defence & Space GmbH, Premium AEROTEC and joint ventures like OneWeb Satellites.
Who founded Airbus and who sits on its Board of Directors?
Founders include Roger Béteille, Henri Ziegler, Franco Angeli and Ludwig Bölkow. The Board features René Obermann (Chairman), CEO Guillaume Faury and 10 other independent and executive directors.
What are Airbus’s future investment plans and capex guidance?
Airbus plans €5 billion+ in capex through 2027 for A320 ramp-up, next-gen R&T, digital services and hydrogen flight demonstrators, supporting 75 A320s/month by 2027.
