Airbus 2015 Annual Report Download - page 68

AIRBUS GROUP REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2015 l 36 l
Informationon GroupActivities
1.1 Presentation of the Group
1.1.3 Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters is a global leader in the civil and military
rotorcraft market, offering one of the most complete and
modern ranges of helicopters and related services. This product
range currently includes light single-engine, light twin-engine,
medium and medium-heavy rotorcraft, which are adaptable
to all kinds of mission types based on customer needs. See
“—1.1.1Overview” for an introduction to Airbus Helicopters.
Strategy
Airbus Helicopters’ strategy is to continue driving improvement
initiatives via its company-wide transformation plan, which
places customer satisfaction and quality at the core of its
operations, along with increasing industrial competitiveness –
all while ensuring the highest levels of aircraft safety.
A Commitment to Innovation
After an unprecedented achievement in 2014 with the
certification and the service introduction of the H145, H175
and H135, Airbus Helicopters pursued preparing the future –
the H Generation – embodied by the launch of the flight-test
phase of the new H160 medium-weight helicopter as planned
for an entry-into-service planned in 2018 and the launch of the
two-years concept phase of the next generation heavy-lift X6
helicopter tailored for the civil market.
Development also continue with the delivery of the first H145M
to the German armed forces, only two years after the contract
was awarded for the development of this new, militarised version
of the leading H145 helicopter and at the Helitech exhibition in
London, the company also announced an upgrade of the H135
equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite developed by
Airbus Helicopters and providing increased safety and reduced
pilot workload.
Airbus Helicopters also unveiled a redefined, comprehensive
services offering. The new “HCare” offering is a product of the
company-wide transformation initiative, focusing on continuous
improvement and customer satisfaction.
Focusing on Customers
Airbus Helicopters also marked significant progress with its
transformation plan in 2015 by further enhancing customer
support and services, with safety as the top priority. This was
underscored by indicators of increasing fleet availability for
customers and operators, and time delivery of planned spare
parts ordered.
Airbus Helicopters also established an extended warranty
offer to include three years or 2,000 flight hours, with the first
year of labor included. Taking effect on 1January 2015, this
initiative is aligned with the company-wide transformation and
demonstrates the priority placed on customer satisfaction.
Delivering Safety
Safety continues to be a top-level priority for Airbus Helicopters,
which advanced this company-wide effort in several ways during
2014 – encompassing industry-leading efforts to propose
and promote changes to enhance airworthiness, increase
survivability and promote standardisation of operator fleet
safety-related capabilities.
Major achievements in 2015, with the leading-edge H225 at
the forefront of the developments, are the full implementation
of the Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) – a document
outlining best practices and recommendations for oil and gas
missions– by North Sea operators in 2015 and the certification
of Rig N Fly, an advanced avionics solution for “one-touch”
approaches to oil rigs.
Market Drivers
According to market forecasts produced by Airbus Helicopters,
the Teal Group and Honeywell, between 9,500 to 10,500civil
helicopters and 6,000 (Teal Group excluding China and Russia)
to 9,000military helicopters are expected to be built globally
over 10years (all turbine helicopters). This forecast, particularly
with respect to the military sector, relies to a large extent on
large US development programmes.
comprises cargo airlines, aerospace companies with small
aircraft fleets as well as finance groups. As of today, more than
190 freighter aircraft have been converted for 39 customers
throughout the world.
Airbus, ST Aerospace and EFW launched the A330 passenger-
to-freighter (P2F) conversion programme on 19 May 2012 and
ST Aerospace took 35% equity interest in EFW. First conversion
is planned in 2016 (prototype). The A330P2F programme will
offer customers two versions – the A330-200P2F and the larger
A330-300P2F. Both will provide new levels of reliability and
efficiency to P2F operators, offering better economics than
any medium widebody freighter available today as well as
commonality with the already existing Airbus A330-200F.
On 17 June 2015, Airbus signed an agreement with Singapore-
based ST Aerospace Ltd. (STA) to offer passenger-to-freighter
(P2F) conversion solutions for its A320 and A321 aircraft. STA
will acquire an additional 20% of the shares of EFW, Dresden
(Germany) by way of a contribution in kind and a capital increase
to EFW. Consequently, 45% of the shares of EFW will be retained
and the Group will effectively lose its control over EFW (reported
in Airbus division). The transaction has been closed on 4 January
2016.
Financial Statements 2015
11 22 33 44 55
QRegistration Document 2015
Annual Report 2015 Financial Statements 2015