Airbus Reports Increase in Orders, Revenues in 2022

Airbus reported a significant increase in gross commercial aircraft orders in 2022, as the aviation industry is gradually recovering from the pandemic. In its full-year 2022 financial results, the planemaker announced a consolidated order intake valued at €82.5 billion (US$88.38 billion), up from €62 billion (US$66.34 billion) the previous year. Airbus reported a consolidated order book valued at €449 billion (US$480.43 billion), compared to €398 billion (US$425.66) in 2021.

"The industry continued its recovery during 2022, with air traffic increasing and airlines turning to their long-term fleet planning. We delivered solid financials despite an adverse operating environment that prevented our supply chain from recovering at the pace we expected. The company had to adjust its operations accordingly, which led to lower commercial aircraft deliveries than originally planned. We are adapting our production to match supply,” says Guillaume Faury, CEO, Airbus.

The planemaker reported 1,078 gross commercial aircraft orders in 2022, up from 771 in the previous year. The net orders were 820 aircraft, up from 507 in 2021, which represents a book-to-bill ratio above one. The company delivered 661 commercial aircraft in 2022, compared to 611 aircraft in 2021, generating revenues that rose by 15% year over year, mainly reflecting the higher deliveries and the strengthening of the US dollar. In contrast, Airbus Helicopters' net orders were down to 362 from 414 in 2021, and its revenues rose by 8%, mainly reflecting growth in services and a favorable mix in programs.

“As we move forward in 2023, we are focused on our industrial activities and the longer-term transformation of the company. The solid 2022 financial performance and our confidence in the future lead us to propose a higher dividend payment this year,” says Faury.

Airbus Defense and Space reported an order intake by value of €13.7 billion (US$14.7 billion), unchanged from 2021. However, the book-to-bill ratio was about 1.2, reflecting key orders such as the Demonstrator Phase 1B of the Future Combat Air System, the Eurodrone unmanned aerial system and 20 of the latest-generation Eurofighters for the Spanish Air Force. Revenues at Airbus Defense and Space increased 11%, mainly driven by higher volume in Military Aircraft and Eurodrone. A total of 10 A400M airlifters were delivered in 2022, compared to eight in 2021.

Simultaneously, Airbus slowed down the production ramp-up of its key narrowbody models after supply disruption, but raised its output ambitions for the widebody A350 as long-haul routes join a global travel recovery. The new targets for single-aisle jets confirm a shallower trajectory, with the goal of 65 A320neo-family jets a month slipping to end-2024 and the rate of 75 slipping to 2026 from "middle of the decade." The planemaker’s current rate is about 45 a month, and the plan is to exit the year slightly under 60 a month.

Airbus also reinstated its goal of delivering 720 aircraft annually after abandoning it last year to stabilize the supply base for the industry's highest-volume jetliner model, the A350.

Airbus has a manufacturing facility in Queretaro. The facility, known as Airbus Helicopters Mexico, was inaugurated in 2013 and produces various components for helicopters, such as doors, cockpits and fuselage sections. It also provides maintenance and repair services for helicopters. The facility is part of Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus that specializes in the design, manufacture and support of helicopters.