Global major aerospace group Airbus reported on Wednesday that it had delivered 127 commercial aircraft during the first quarter of this year (1Q23). Commercial aircraft gross orders during the quarter came to 156, which was down on the gross figure of 253 reported in the first quarter of last year (1Q22). However, in sharp contrast, net orders (following cancellations) during 1Q23 totalled 142, as against net orders of just 83 during 1Q22. The total order backlog at the end of March was 7 254 aircraft.

Airbus Helicopters delivered 71 machines in 1Q23, as against 39 in 1Q22, mostly in the light helicopter market segment. Net orders came to 39, well spread across its categories and types, but down on the 56 recorded in 1Q22. Revenues were up 26%, year-on-year. Airbus Defence and Space won orders worth €2.5-billion in 1Q23, which was a drop of 21% in relation to its order intake of €3.2-billion in 1Q22.

Total group revenues in 1Q23 were €11.763-billion, which was 2% down on the 1Q22 figure of €12-billion. Of these totals, Airbus’ defence business accounted for €2.381-billion in 1Q23 and €2.392-billion in 1Q22 (a year-on-year difference of effectively 0%). Earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit), adjusted, in 1Q23, were €0.773-billion, a 39% fall in comparison to the 1Q22 figure of €1.263-billion. Ebit (reported) in 1Q23 was €0.39-billion, a drop of 73% in relation to the €1.429-billion recorded in 1Q22. Net income, at €0.466-billion in 1Q23, was 62% down, year-on-year. However, the group increased its research and development expenditure by 17%, to €0.683-billion in 1Q23 from €0.586-billion in 1Q22.

“The first quarter confirmed strong demand for our products, particularly for commercial aircraft,” affirmed Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. “We delivered 127 commercial aircraft, which is reflected in the Q1 financials. The quarter also benefitted from a good performance in [Airbus] Helicopters. We continue to face an adverse operating environment that includes in particular persistent tensions in the supply chain. Our 2023 guidance is unchanged with commercial aircraft deliveries expected to be backloaded. We remain focused on delivering the commercial aircraft ramp-up and longer-term transformation.”

The group reported that its production ramp-up programme for the smallest airliner family in its range, the A220, was continuing. It would reach a monthly production tempo of 14 aircraft (“rate 14”) by the middle of this decade. With its A320-family of single-aisle airliners, production was being ramped up to rate 65 by the end of next year. The recent announcement that Airbus was to establish a second A320-family Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Tianjin, in China, would increase the number of A320-family FALs around the world to ten. This would help Airbus to push A320-family production up to rate 75 in 2026. Testing of the latest version of the family, the A321XLR (for eXtra Long Range), was proceeding and entry-into-service was programmed for the second quarter of next year.

Regarding its widebody airliners, it confirmed previous announcements that it was aiming at production rate 4 next year for its A330-family, and, by the end of 2025, rate 9 for its A350-family. But, although manufacture of the first components for the new, A350F dedicated freighter model had started, its entry-into-service target date had been pushed back into 2026.