Airbus (AIR) investor relations material

Buses for the Air

Airbus SE is a European aerospace corporation with multinational operations and one of the aviation industry's leaders. The company designs, manufactures, and sells commercial aircraft, including airplanes and helicopters. Besides this Airbus is also active in the defense and space sectors, albeit at a smaller scale than their commercial operations. The company is headquartered in Leiden in the Netherlands, and its shares are listed in France, Germany, and Spain.

The World’s First Twin Engine Wide Body Jet

Airbus was established as a consortium of various European aerospace manufacturers in 1970, aiming to challenge American companies' dominance in the commercial airliner market. The consortium's first airplane, the Airbus 300 was a massive technological leap forward, as it was the first twin-engined widebody jet. However, the company’s biggest commercial breakthrough came in the 80s when it introduced the now well-established Airbus A320.

In 2000, the company was acquired by EADS, which in turn was the result of the merger between several European aerospace manufacturers. Today, Airbus is one of the dominating forces in aerospace manufacturing together with Boeing. As will be discussed later on, the company also produces various types of military aircraft and helicopters, but the majority of its revenue comes from its commercial production.

The Commercial Aircraft

Airbus’s commercial aircraft division is the most important part of its business and what they’re most known for. The company’s product line spans from the single-aisle A220 and A320 families which are used by over 300 commercial airlines across the world for short to medium-haul routes, including Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. The company also manufactures the widebody A330, A350, and the now iconic A380, the latter of which is the largest passenger aircraft in the world.

Other Aircraft

Beyond commercial airliners, Airbus operates in several other sectors. In defense, Airbus produces military aircraft, including the A400M transporter and Eurofighter Typhoon through a joint venture. The company is also active in the space sector, designing and manufacturing satellites, space probes, and launch vehicles. Additionally, Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus, is one of the world’s leading helicopter manufacturers, producing a range of civil and military rotary-wing aircraft.