Airbus 2015 Annual Report Download - page 66

AIRBUS GROUP REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2015 l 34 l
Informationon GroupActivities
1.1 Presentation of the Group
A transversal “Industrial Strategy & Systems” Centre of
Competences is in charge of ensuring that harmonised and
standardised processes, methods and tools are developed and
implemented across the plants, in order to increase efficiency,
based on best practices.
Following production by the respective plants, the various
aircraft sections are transferred between the network of sites
and the final assembly lines using dedicated transport means,
such as the “Beluga” Super Transporters. To support the A380
production flow, Airbus has also integrated road, river and sea
transport. Programme management is then responsible for
the final assembly line activities. The programme management
works closely with the plants to secure delivery of aircraft
sections to the final assembly lines on time, cost and quality.
A new Airbus A320 Family final assembly line was constructed
in Mobile, Alabama (US) and started production in 2015, with a
first delivery of a Mobile-assembled aircraft expected in 2016.
Engineering
Airbus Engineering is a global organisation that develops civil
aircraft and aircraft components, and that conducts innovative
research applicable to the next generation of aircraft. Airbus
Engineering operates transnationally, with most engineers
employed in France, Germany, the UK and Spain. A growing
population of experienced aerospace engineers is also employed
worldwide at five other engineering centres in Wichita (Kansas,
US), Mobile (Alabama, US), Moscow (Russia), Bangalore (India)
and Beijing (China).
A key part of the Airbus engineering organisation is the architect
and integration centre, which ensures, together with a team of
senior aircraft architects and the programme chief engineers,
that a consistent and multi-disciplinary approach is applied
during aircraft development.
In 2015, Airbus successfully achieved Type Certification of
the A320neo, equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, and
began flight tests of the A320neo with CFM engines. The
A330neo and BelugaXL successfully achieved the “End of
Concept” phase and the A350XWB Ultra-Long Range project
has also been launched. Research & Technology activities
delivered incremental innovations for existing aircraft, matured
breakthrough technologies, with reinforced focus on industrial
aspects. Airbus Engineering is a major contributor to numerous
international initiatives dedicated to the preservation of the
environment and the reduction of noise and CO2 emissions.
Fully integrated change projects are also implemented to
continuously implement innovative and efficient ways of
working.
Regional Aircraft, Aerostructures, Seats
andAircraft Conversion
ATR
ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) is a world leader in the
50-to74-seat regional turboprop aircraft market. Its aircraft are
currently operated by more than 200 airlines in over 100countries.
ATR is an equal partnership between AirbusGroup and Alenia
Aermacchi (Finmeccanica Group), with AirbusGroup’s 50%
share managed by Airbus. Headquartered in Toulouse in the
south of France, ATR employs more than 1,200people, with
major operations in the Midi-Pyrénées and Aquitaine regions
of France. Since the start of the programme in 1981, ATR
has registered net orders for 1,796aircraft (473ATR42s and
1,063ATR72s).
Market
The regional turboprop aircraft industry has experienced
growing concentration over the years. During the 1990s, a
number of regional aircraft manufacturers merged, closed or
ceased production, leading to the withdrawal from the market
of BAe, Beechcraft, Fokker, Saab and Shorts, among others.
Currently, the worldwide market for turboprop aircraft of 50-
70seats in production is dominated by two manufacturers:
ATR and Bombardier.
After a number of years of declining activity, the regional
turboprop aircraft market has experienced sustained growth
since 2005 due to the advantages of turboprop aircraft over
jet aircraft in terms of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. In
2015, ATR delivered 88new aircraft (compared to 83 in 2014)
and recorded firm orders for 76 new aircraft (compared to 160
in 2014). In 2015, ATR received its 1500thfirm order since the
beginning of the programme.
As of 31December 2015, ATR had a backlog of 260aircraft
(compared to 280 in 2014). The relative lower operating cost
and reduced CO2 emissions of turboprop aircraft, in an ever
passenger-yield constrained environment, are expected to lead
to sustained market activity over the coming years.
Products and Services
ATR42 and ATR72. Commencing with the ATR42 (50-seat),
which entered service in 1985, ATR has developed a family of
high-wing, twin turboprop aircraft in the 50- to 74-seat market
that are designed for optimal efficiency, operational flexibility and
comfort. In 1995, in order to respond to operators’ increasing
demands for comfort and performance, ATR launched the
ATR42-500 and two years later, the ATR72-500 (70-seat)
series. In 2007, ATR launched the new -600 series with improved
engines, new avionics and a new cabin. Like Airbus, the ATR
range is based on the family concept, which provides for savings
in training, maintenance operations, spare parts supply and
cross-crew qualification. By the end of 2015, ATR had delivered
1278aircraft.
Financial Statements 2015
11 22 33 44 55
QRegistration Document 2015
Annual Report 2015 Financial Statements 2015