Airbus’ net profit fell by 11% in 2023, to 3.8 billion euros, reduced by expenses incurred in its space activity, the European aircraft manufacturer announced on Thursday February 15, which nevertheless achieved the third the largest profit in its history, after the 4.2 billion euros generated in 2022.
“In 2023, all our activities recorded significant order intake and we met our commitments. This is a remarkable result given the complexity of the operational context,” welcomed Airbus Executive Chairman Guillaume Faury, quoted in a press release.
After missing its target for aircraft deliveries in 2022, the aircraft manufacturer managed to deliver 735 aircraft to its customers in 2023 despite persistent difficulties in its supply chain to follow its ramp-up. And it plans to deliver “around 800” in 2024, the number of planes delivered in 2018, before the pandemic torpedoed the aeronautical sector.
Full order book
The aircraft manufacturer also garnered 2,094 net orders last year, shattering its previous record dating from 2013. Airbus rode on the success of its A320 family single-aisle aircraft and its A350 long-haul aircraft. Its turnover increased by 11%, to 65.4 billion euros. The Commercial Aircraft division, up 15%, represented nearly three-quarters of revenues and 78% of operating profit. The revenues of the Airbus Helicopters division increased by 4% and those of Airbus Defense and Space by 2%.
The operating profit of Airbus DS, however, fell by 40%, to 229 million euros, reduced by a charge of 600 million euros in the space activity, which represents around 2 billion euros in turnover. .
Subject to very strong competition imposed by SpaceX, it was affected by development delays and additional costs of certain programs, notably concerning the new Onesat geostationary telecommunications satellites, according to a source close to the matter.
Guillaume Faury has left the reins of the Commercial Aircraft division to Christian Scherer to be able to devote more time to Airbus’ global strategy, particularly space and defense activities. The boss of space activities Jean-Marc Nasr must also give up his place on March 1 to Alain Faure, from Airbus Operations.