Airbus reveals increased profits as orders rise

European aircraft manufacturer boosted by operational efficiencies and record order book

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is to increase production of its new A350 aircraft, the company said as it revealed a 15% increase in net profits for 2015 and a record order book.

The company recorded net profits of €2.7 billion (£2.1 billion), helped by operational efficiencies and a record order book of €1,006 billion.

In 2015 Airbus received orders for 1,080 commercial aircraft, compared with 1,456 a year earlier.

Group revenues increased 6% to €64.5 billion in 2015, driven by commercial aircraft which registered an 8% rise in revenues on higher deliveries.

Chief Executive Tom Enders said: “Revenues and earnings before tax and interest increased from a year earlier, delivering earnings per share growth while free cash flow improved. The record order book supports our commercial aircraft ramp-up plans and we are driving operational efficiency. We have now decided to increase the A330 production rate back to seven aircraft a month in 2017. There was also strong momentum in defence and space.

“Operational highlights included reaching breakeven on the A380 programme for the first time, delivering 14 A350s in the first year of industrialisation and receiving dual certification for the A320neo. We remain focused on programme execution and managing the challenges we face with the acceleration of the A350 and A400M ramp-ups and A320neo transition,” he added.