2008
17 July 2008: Airbus Announces Orders Worth Over US$ 40 Billion At Farnborough Airshow
Airbus announced transactions covering 256 aircraft, valued at US$ 40.5 billion at the 2008 Farnborough Air Show. These transactions include firm orders for 247 aircraft and nine commitments. This also reflects a strong aerospace market despite the global economic uncertainties.
26 June 2008: First A400M Military Transporter Rolled Out
In a ceremony presided over by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, Airbus Military has today rolled out the first complete A400M military transport aircraft from the Final Assembly Line facility in Seville, Spain.
Designed initially to a recognised requirement for a new airlifter for European air forces, the A400M incorporates the state-of-the-art materials and technology that are being continuously perfected in today’s civil aircraft fleets. Features such as electronic flight controls, carbon composite structures and an automated handling system will bring new standards of operability and safety to military aircrews.
12 June 2008: Skynet 5C - triple success for Astrium
Astrium has completed the Skynet 5 military satellite communications fleet with the successful launch of Skynet 5C – the third Skynet 5 satellite - from Kourou, French Guiana on 12 June.
Press Release |
31 May 2008: Airbus selects Diehl / Thales as preferred bidder for Laupheim site
Airbus has selected Diehl / Thales as preferred bidder for its Laupheim site. Teams on both sides will now enter into negotiations on remaining details and take the next steps including confirmatory due diligence to achieve a final agreement as soon as possible.
The Airbus plant in Laupheim employs a total of 1,100 employees. It produces cabin linings, compartments and air ducts for all Airbus products (A320 Family, A330/A340 Family and A380).
21 May 2008: EADS to support disaster relief efforts in China with donations, information, hardware and technical assistance
EADS, a global leader in aerospace and defence, is supporting the global emergency relief efforts in the province of Sichuan following the Earthquake on May 12.
Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, said: “Our employees all around the world are eager to offer help to the victims of the earthquake, their relatives and the professionals and volunteers on the ground.”
15 May 2008: Alternative Fuel Partnership Teams Airbus With Honeywell, IAE And JetBlue
In its continuing efforts toward eco-efficiency – and to help the whole aviation sector prosper with less impact on the environment, such as reducing emissions from aircraft operations –Airbus has teamed with Honeywell Aerospace; UOP, a Honeywell Company; International Aero Engines (IAE); and JetBlue Airways to pursue development of a sustainable second-generation biofuel for use in commercial aircraft.
22 April 2008: EADS North America acquires PlantCML, a leading provider of emergency response solutions and services in the U.S. and Canada
EADS today announced the acquisition of California-based PlantCML, a leading provider of emergency response solutions, from Golden Gate Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity fund, for approximately $350 million. Based on the good underlying profitability of PlantCML, the acquisition is earning per share (EPS) accretive (on a pre fair value amortization) in the first year. Leveraging the synergies between the companies is expected to create additional value in the following years. The acquisition was made through EADS’ U.S. operating subsidiary, EADS North America, and will become part of the North America business portfolio.
27 March 2008: EADS-led AirTanker consortium signs 27 year air refuelling contract with the U.K. Ministry of Defence
AirTanker, the EADS-led consortium, has today signed a 27 year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence for the provision of air transport and air refuelling capability to the Royal Air Force. The AirTanker consortium has also completed its financing for the programme, raising approx £2.5 billion (€3.2 billion) for investment in the fleet, a new state-of-the-art operational base and associated infrastructure.
25 March 2008: Final Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoon delivered to the Core Programme
With the handover of GT015, a German Twin-Seater aircraft, the final aircraft out of Tranche 1 destined for the four partner Air Forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom in the core programme has been delivered on March 20, 2008.
11 March 2008: EADS 2007 results: Strong business performance while facing significant challenges
EADS (stock exchange symbol: EAD) delivered a strong business performance in 2007 while experiencing significant challenges. The Group's order intake, at record heights, doubled compared to the previous year and the EBIT* reached break-even, as was indicated in EADS' revised guidance. For 2008, the Group targets an EBIT* of € 1.8 billion.
EBIT
EADS uses EBIT pre goodwill impairment and exceptionals as a key indicator of its economic performance. The term “exceptionals” refers to such items as depreciation expenses of fair value adjustments relating to the EADS merger, the Airbus Combination and the formation of MBDA, as well as impairment charges thereon.
10 March 2008: Ariane 5 ES sends the ATV on its way to the ISS: the first success of a double Astrium event
At 5.03 a.m. CET, an Ariane 5 ES placed the 19.4 tonnes of the ATV Jules Verne into orbit at the very first attempt.
29 February 2008: EADS to expand its U.S. industrial presence following selection of Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker
Selection of the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker by the U.S. Air Force, a system based on EADS’ A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) and designated by the USAF as the KC-45A, will significantly increase EADS’ industrial presence and commitment in the United States, as well as its role as a U.S.-based defence and homeland security provider.
EADS North America is the partner to Northrop Grumman on the new tanker, with responsibility for assembling airframes and providing completed flight-qualified aircraft and refuelling sub-systems.
25 February 2008: United Arab Emirates orders the A330 MRTT air to air refuelling aircraft from EADS
United Arab Emirates has announced today the purchase from EADS, through its Military Transport Aircraft Division, of the A330 MRTT (Multi Role Transport Tanker) as the new air to air refuelling aircraft for the UAE Air Force & Air Defense. The A330 MRTT shall be fitted with under wings pods and EADS CASA Boom system.
12 February 2008: Columbus successfully docked to the International Space Station
Europe’s space laboratory Columbus is in space: it successfully docked to the ISS on Monday 11 February. The module was built by Astrium for the European Space Agency ESA.
22 January 2008: Eurocopter concludes the first Century of Vertical Flight with a Sales Record
Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, achieved an all time high in sales results in 2007, even surpassing those of 2006 which was considered a record year. The company’s products and services proved to be the customers’ preferred choice, optimally matching their mission requirements. In line with its strategy of being a multi-local player, and reflecting the booming market, Eurocopter has also further strengthened its worldwide industrial footprint by setting up additional subsidiaries in key markets. The company is well-positioned to take up the 2008 industrial, technological and international challenges, and pursue its growth.
22 January 2008: China Airlines Orders Up To 20 A350 XWB For Their Future Medium Capacity Long-Haul Fleet
China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest carrier, has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of 14 A350-900 and taken another six on option. The new generation medium capacity long-haul aircraft is being acquired by China Airlines as part of their future fleet modernisation programme.
21 January 2008: Brazilian Carrier TAM Signed A Firm Contract For 22 A350 XWBs, Four Additional A330-200s And 20 Additional A320 Family Aircraft
Leading Brazilian carrier TAM Linhas Aéreas has firmed up its order for 22 A350 XWBs and for four additional A330-200s. The airline based in São Paulo has furthermore added another 20 A320 Family aircraft to the initial order. TAM, Airbus’ biggest customer in the southern hemisphere, now has the largest A350 XWB fleet. This agreement raises the number of orders for the A350 XWB to 314 aircraft.
16 January 2008: Airbus 2007 Results
In 2007 Airbus delivered 453 aircraft, 19 more than in 2006, on time and to customer satisfaction. The deliveries include 367 A320 Family aircraft, six A300 Freighters, 79 A330/A340 aircraft, and the first all new eco-efficient A380 to Singapore Airlines. Entry into service of the A380 was smooth, with a very high technical dispatch reliability rate.
Airbus achieved 1,341 net orders valued at US$ 157.1 billion at catalogue prices (1,458 new gross orders valued at US $ 181.1 billion). They include 913 A320-Family aircraft, 405 A330/A340/A350s, and 23 A380s. This demonstrates the strong demand for Airbus aircraft, with all members of the product family doing extremely well. In particular the newly launched A350 XWB has achieved 292 new firm orders.
Press Release |
14 January 2008: Airbus Announces Plans For A330 Freighter Final Assembly Line In Mobile, Alabama
Airbus today announced a commitment to establish an A330 Freighter aircraft final assembly line (FAL) in Mobile, Alabama, if Northrop Grumman (supported by Airbus’s parent company, EADS) receives the order to build aerial refuelling tankers from the United States Air Force. If established, the FAL would mark an important step forward for U.S. aerospace production, as it would be one of the first new commercial aircraft assembly facilities built in the U.S. in more than four decades, as well as the first Airbus manufacturing facility in the U.S.
11 January 2008: Airbus Delivers Second A380 To Singapore Airlines
The second production Airbus A380 (MSN005) was handed over to Singapore Airlines on 11th January in line with the latest delivery schedule. Equipped with four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines, the second aircraft for the first A380 operator follows the delivery of the first A380 (MSN003) that took place on 15th October 2007.
The second aircraft is fitted with the same spacious and luxurious cabin-interior Singapore Airlines revealed on the occasion of the delivery of their first A380, also featuring 471 seats in three classes.
09 January 2008: AWAS Orders 75 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft
The Dublin based lessor AWAS has signed a firm contract for 75 A320 Family aircraft bringing their Airbus portfolio to a total of 145, comprising single aisle and long-range aircraft. This is the first order announced by Airbus this year.
Being one of the three largest aircraft leasing companies in the world, AWAS has a diversified selection of commercial aircraft and is a leader in next generation technology.
03 January 2008: Saudi MODA places order for EADS A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the future air-to-air refuelling aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force
The Saudi MODA has decided the acquisition of the A330 MRTT as the new air-to-air refuelling aircraft for its Royal Saudi Air Force as a result of the competition process started in early 2006.
