Airbus 2015 Annual Report Download - page 22

Supported by robust global
commercial aircraft demand, Airbus’
order backlog continued to grow,
while aircraft deliveries also increased
year-on-year to a historically high
level. Progress was made in key
programmes, and the A380 achieved
its break-even target.
lobal demand for commercial
aircraft remained strong in 2015.
Airbus won 1,080 new net orders,
comprising 945 single-aisle aircraft
and 135 widebodies, comfortably
beating the target of a book-to-bill
above 1. As a result, the backlog reached a new
industry record of 6,831 aircraft, representing
ten years of production at current rates. In value
terms the backlog was worth € 952.5 billion at
list prices.
With 635 new aircraft delivered to 85 customers,
Airbus also beat its previous delivery record set
in 2014, and succeeded in increasing deliveries
for the 13th year in a row. In 2015, 491A320
Family aircraft, 103 A330s, 27 A380s, and
14A350 XWBs were handed over to customers.
Revenues rose 8% to € 45.9 billion (2014:
€ 42.3billion), reflecting a favourable evolution of
the US dollar rate as well as the delivery mix.
EBIT* before one-off increased by 10% to
€ 2.8billion (2014: € 2.5 billion), due to operational
improvement, with a strong contribution from the
A380 programme.
PRODUCTION INCREASE
A major highlight of the year was the official
opening of Airbus’ first US factory at Mobile,
Alabama. Between 40 and 50 single-aisle
aircraft will be produced there annually by 2018.
Based on the robustness of the backlog and
supply chain capability, the decision was taken
to increase overall single-aisle production to a
rate of 60 per month in mid-2019, up from 42
in 2015.
As planned, the A320neo achieved its
certification from European and US aviation
authorities before the end of 2015, paving
the way for entry-into-service and the first
A320neo was delivered in January 2016.
Production of the A330neo started, with the
machining of the first engine pylon and centre
wing-box components. Additional A330 orders,
in particular from China, enabled Airbus to plan
for a smooth transition towards the A330neo.
Airbus and Chinese partners signed a framework
agreement to set up an A330 Completion and
Delivery Centre in Tianjin, China.
A350 PROGRESS
In 2015, Singapore Airlines became the first
customer to order a new Ultra-Long Range
version of the A350-900. This variant, capable
of performing 19-hour flights, will allow the
airline to start non-stop services from Singapore
to New York and Los Angeles. In addition,
important progress was made on the A350
programme’s next variant, the A350-1000, with
major components and structures entering into
production at various Airbus plants.
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A380
• Meet A350 delivery targets, focus on
ramp-up and cost control.
• Achieving a smooth entry-into-service
of the A320neo with our customers and
securing the industrial transition from
CEO to NEO.
• Raising production of the single-aisle
family as we build towards rate 50 in
2017 and rate 60 in mid-2019.
• Develop A330neo in accordance with
milestones.
• Reaching – and going beyond – our
efficiency and competitiveness targets
for 2016.
• Introducing a roadmap and programme
for the use of digital technology
throughout Airbus.
• Strengthening our focus on people
development.
KEY PRIORITIES for 2016
AIRBUS GROUP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 l 20 l