Airbus 2015 Annual Report Download - page 17

Tom Enders
Chief Executive Officer
In 2015, we also made significant progress in fostering
innovation and digital transformation: our new innovation-to-
business centre, known as A3, was set up in record time in the
Silicon Valley and we also created a corporate venture fund
.– Airbus Ventures – for investments into start-ups worldwide.
Both “Valley initiatives” are already fully operational and have
started their first activities. Digital transformation is also a
strategic imperative and will be central to our operating system
for the foreseeable future. We need to get faster, bolder and, at
the same time, better in operational execution! It’s all about that.
What are your key priorities going forward?
Operationally, I see three major challenges on our key
programmes in 2016. First and most important is the
transition from CEO to NEO on our A320 family programme
and, at the same time, raising the production rates. The A320
is our bread-and-butter business and with the cooperation of
our engine partners, we will hopefully be able to deliver on our
customer commitments. The A320neo and its strong market
position holds huge promise for Airbus, it’s the main driver of
our growth story for the years ahead.
Secondly, the A350 XWB ramp-up; we are targeting more
than 50 A350 deliveries in 2016. That’s a steep increase
from last year.
Thirdly, on the A400M programme, we need to advance the
military functionalities, control costs and improve operational
reliability. Despite the progress made in 2015, the A400M
continues to be challenging. It’s the number one priority for
Defence and Space.
Apart from programme execution and continuous operational
improvement, the main focus is on the three “I”s: Integration,
Internationalisation and Innovation. All this will require
significant efforts of everyone in the Company. We have a lot
to do in 2016 and the coming years but all the foundations
are there to deliver our growth story and to improve our
competitiveness for the coming decade!
We have a lot to do in
2016 and the coming
years but all the
foundations are there to
deliver our growth story
The stories
continue non-stop on
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AIRBUS GROUP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 l 15 l