Airbus reported consolidated revenues of € 40.4 billion ($45.7 billion) for the first nine months of the year as against €38 billion during the same period of 2017, mainly driven by Airbus and including the perimeter changes.

The company also posted a consolidated net income of € 1.453 billion for the first nine months of the year as against € 1.398 billion during the same period of 2017 and earnings per share of € 1.88 up 3.86 per cent over nine months of 2017.

A total of 503 commercial aircraft were delivered (9m 2017: 454 aircraft), comprising 8 A220s, 395 A320 Family, 31 A330s, 61 A350 XWBs and 8 A380s. Airbus Helicopters delivered 218 units (9m 2017: 266 units) with revenues stable on a comparable basis.

“The nine-month results mainly reflect the good performance on the A350 and the aircraft delivery profile. Even though we delivered more aircraft than a year earlier, we still have a lot to do to meet our commitments,” said Airbus chief executive officer Tom Enders.

“On the A400M, we are progressing with the military capabilities, deliveries and retrofit. The contract amendment discussions are advancing, but a bit slower than planned. Our primary operational focus remains on commercial aircraft deliveries and securing the A320neo ramp-up.”

Net commercial aircraft orders totalled 256 (9m 2017: 271 aircraft) with gross orders of 311 aircraft including 58 A350 XWBs. Industry fundamentals remain solid with the Airbus order backlog totalling 7,383 commercial aircraft as of 30 September 2018(3).  Net helicopter orders increased to 230 units (9m 2017: 210 units), including 6 Super Puma Family and 36 H145s in the third quarter alone. Airbus Defence and Space’s 9m 2018 order intake of around € 5.0 billion included the contract for Heron TP drones from Germany.

On the A320neo programme, a total of 222 aircraft were delivered compared to 90 in the first nine months of 2017. On the A330neo programme, the A330-900 received Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency in September with the first delivery expected shortly. Meanwhile, the A350 programme is progressing well, with the targeted monthly production rate of 10 aircraft expected by the end of 2018. Good progress continues to be made on A350 programme recurring cost with the A350-1000 benefitting from the A350-900 learning curve.

As the basis for its 2018 guidance, the company expects the world economy and air traffic to grow in line with prevailing independent forecasts, which assume no major disruptions, Airbus said in a statement. – TradeArabia News Service