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Airbus is a global aerospace corporation based in Leiden, Netherlands, and Blagnac, France, that designs, manufactures, and sells commercial jetliners, helicopters, military transports, and space systems. The publicly traded enterprise operates as a primary competitor to Boeing in commercial aviation, generating €65.4 billion in annual revenue and employing approximately 147,800 people worldwide in 2023. During that same calendar year, the manufacturer delivered 735 commercial aircraft and secured a record-breaking 2,094 net commercial aircraft orders across its global production facilities. Led by Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury, the corporation supplies major aviation operators and national defense forces, counting Delta Air Lines, Emirates, and Lufthansa among its prominent commercial airline customers. Airbus was originally founded in 1970 by a European aerospace consortium led by key figures Roger Béteille, Henri Ziegler, Felix Kracht, and Franz Josef Strauss.
Key people at Airbus.
Airbus was founded in 1970 by Franz Josef Strauss (Founder) and Henri Ziegler (Founder) and Bernard Lathiere (Founder) and Roger Beteille (Founder) and Felix Kracht (Founder).
Airbus is Europe's largest aeronautics and space company, specializing in commercial aircraft, helicopters, defence, and space sectors, with a focus on innovative, sustainable aviation solutions.[2] It produces key aircraft families like the A320neo, A321neo, A350, and A220, serving global airlines for passenger and freighter needs while targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 through fuel-efficient designs and alternative fuels.[1][2] The company forecasts strong market demand, projecting 43,420 new passenger and freighter aircraft needed globally from 2025-2044, driven by 3.6% annual passenger traffic growth, to replace inefficient fleets and support expanding trade and GDP.[3]
Airbus connects people worldwide via commercial jets, protects nations with military systems, and explores space with satellites, operating over 180 sites globally.[2] In 2025, it aims for around 820 commercial aircraft deliveries despite supply chain hurdles, ramping production for A320neo (targeting 75/month by 2027), A350 (8/month interim), and A220 (14/month by 2026).[1][4][6]
Airbus traces its roots to over 50 years of European aerospace collaboration, with predecessor companies contributing to milestones like the Concorde's first flight in 1969 and the JUICE spacecraft launch in 2023.[2] Formally established as a pan-European consortium in the 1970s, it evolved from national efforts by France, Germany, and others into a unified entity, launching iconic programs like the A300 widebody in 1972, which proved viable against U.S. rivals.[2]
Pivotal moments include dominating single-aisle markets with the A320 family in the 1980s-90s and expanding into widebodies with the A350, while acquiring assets like the A220 program to bolster its portfolio.[1][2] This evolution shifted focus from basic jetliners to sustainable tech, including hydrogen-powered ZEROe concepts, amid growing emphasis on efficiency post-pandemic.[2]
Airbus rides the aviation rebound trend, fueled by 3.6% passenger traffic growth (RPKs), 2.5% GDP rise, and population increases, demanding 34,250 single-aisle and 9,170 widebody aircraft through 2044.[3] Timing aligns with fleet modernization, as older planes are phased out for efficient models amid rising air freight (3.3% annual growth, led by Asia-Pacific/North America).[3]
Market forces like supply chain recovery and sustainability mandates favor Airbus, positioning it to capture backlog demand while influencing the ecosystem via production ramps and tech like XLR variants that extend narrowbody ranges.[1][4] It shapes policy through net-zero commitments, pushing suppliers and rivals toward greener aviation.[2]
Airbus will prioritize 2025 production ramps for A320neo, A350, and A220 to hit ~820 deliveries, leveraging XLR rollout and new orders despite supply constraints.[1][4][6] Emerging trends like SAF adoption, hydrogen aircraft, and cargo doubling will propel growth, with 43,420 aircraft demand underscoring its scale advantage.[3]
Influence may expand via defence/space diversification and ecosystem leadership in sustainable tech, solidifying its role as Europe's aerospace pioneer amid global connectivity demands—echoing its half-century legacy of uniting the skies.[2]
Airbus has 1 tracked investment across 1 company. The latest tracked deal is $116.0M Series C in ZeroAvia in November 2023.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27, 2023 | ZeroAvia | $116.0M Series C | Barclays, Airbus, Neom Investment Fund | Alaska Airlines, Amazon, AP Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Horizons Ventures, Summa Equity |
Airbus was founded in 1970 by Franz Josef Strauss (Founder) and Henri Ziegler (Founder) and Bernard Lathiere (Founder) and Roger Beteille (Founder) and Felix Kracht (Founder).
Key people at Airbus.
