Airbus delivered a total of 437 commercial aircraft in the first nine months of 2022 with an 8% year-on-year (YOY) increase in revenue from commercial aircraft activities. The aircraft deliveries comprised 34 A220s, 340 A320 Family, 21 A330s, and 42 A350s as the consolidated revenues increase to € 38.1 billion. The gross commercial aircraft orders increased to 856 with net orders of 647 aircraft after cancellations while Airbus Helicopters registered 246 net orders with bookings well spread across programs.
Airbus reported a backlog of 7,294 commercial aircraft at the end of September 2022.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer, said: “Airbus delivered a solid nine-month 2022 financial performance in a complex operating environment. The supply chain remains fragile resulting from the cumulative impact of COVID, the war in Ukraine, energy supply issues, and constrained labor markets. Our strong focus on cash flow and the favorable dollar/euro environment has enabled us to raise our free cash flow guidance for 2022. The commercial aircraft delivery and earnings targets are maintained. Our teams are focused on our key priorities and, delivering the commercial aircraft ramp-up over the coming months and years.”
Airbus Helicopters delivered 193 units with revenues rising by 9% by September 2022 end.
On the A320 Family program, Airbus reported that the production is progressing towards a monthly rate of 65 aircraft in early 2024 and 75 in 2025. All three test A321XLRs have now flown, with the aircraft’s entry-into-service expected to take place in Q2 2024.
To sum up the first nine-month financial report, Airbus reported a financial result of € -306 million, the financial result, at the same time last year was € -172 million. The result mainly reflected the net interest result of € -166 million as well as a negative impact from the revaluation of financial instruments, partly offset by the evolution of the US dollar and the revaluation of certain equity investments, Airbus said.
Airbus reported a consolidated net income of € 2,568 million while consolidated free cash flow before M&A and customer financing € 2,899 million, reflecting the profit translated into cash and supported by a favorable foreign exchange environment. Airbus reported a consolidated free cash flow of 2,502 million as against € 2,308 million in the first nine-month report of 2021.
Going ahead, Airbus remains firm on maintaining its target to achieve around 700 commercial aircraft deliveries and € 4.5 billion of Free Cash Flow before M&A and Customer Financing in 2022.