Airbus, A380 - Company profile

Résumé du document

Airbus is one of the world's leading suppliers of commercial aircraft. This 100-seater boasts a major portion of the market share of annual deliveries worldwide. Its market share has grown from 15% in 1990 to 52% in 2003. On December 31, 2003, its backlog of orders (1,454 aircraft) stood at 52% of total worldwide backlog. After accounting for cancellations, the net order intake for 2003 was 254 aircrafts. In 2003, the Airbus division of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) earned revenues t the tune of 19 billion dollars, representing 61% of EADS total revenues. Based on deliveries in 2003, Airbus was the largest supplier of commercial aircraft in the world, surpassing its rival Boeing for the first time. Its journey from 1970 up to the end of December 31, 2003, has been fruitful. Airbus has received orders for 4,886 aircraft from 186 customers around the world. Several factors have contributed to the success of Airbus: its portfolio of modern aircraft, its consistent technological innovation, its stable pool of highly skilled employees and its concept of aircraft "families" that offer customers cost savings in crew training, maintenance and supply for their fleets of different sized Airbus aircraft. In addition, the Airbus management believes that the international composition of Airbus represents a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. The Airbus group is jointly owned by EADS (80%) and BAE SYSTEMS (20%). The Head of EADS Airbus Division acts as Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, echoing the effective management control of EADS over its operations.

Extraits

[...] Airbus's mission is to provide the aircrafts best suited to the market's needs and to support these aircraft with the highest quality of service. Airbus' corporate culture is built on innovation, creativity and free-thinking. Its organization reinforces trans-national working patterns while preserving the diversity of cultures and languages which has proved a key asset in the company's development and growth. In 35 years of successful business operations, it has learnt how to create effective teams of highly productive individuals with different nationalities, backgrounds and skills. [...]

[...] It was set to expand and to create a complete range of airliners. Following this bold stroke, British Aerospace - which had taken over Hawker-Siddeley became a full partner in the Airbus consortium in 1979. All the major European manufacturers were now firmly united and ready to challenge the U.S. industry. That same year, Airbus decided to incorporate the 130-170 seat single aisle aircraft, on which the partners had been working outside the consortium, into its aircraft family. This project became the A320, which filled out the Airbus product line and allowed Airbus to compete for replacements of ageing U.S.-built aircraft in that category, in service worldwide at the time. [...]

[...] Furthermore, a decrease in orders and backlog need not imply a reduction in immediate deliveries of the same magnitude. See also Adaptability to Changes in Demand Airline Network Development : Hubs As a consequence of deregulation policies, major airlines are constantly adapting their fleet, network and commercial strategies. This adaptation is possible because of the availability of new aircraft capable of meeting customer requirements in terms of cost and performance. In response to the price demands of passengers and competition of new no frills/low cost carriers, major airlines have organized their operations around strategically located airports enabling them to link more cities at lower fares. [...]

[...] Getafe (Spain) For horizontal tail plane and tail plane systems. Airbus's unique manufacturing flexibility is imbedded within the organization, implementing lessons learned from previous downturn Strategy 1. Strategy Procurement Part of building a successful aircraft is building up a reliable and proven chain of component suppliers. Over the past 30 years, they have sought out suppliers of everything from sheet metal to landing gear. As a result, they now have more than 1,500 contractors in over 30 countries who have demonstrated they can deliver the quality they demand within the required time-frames. [...]

[...] He plans to fly the A380 to New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Johannesburg and Sydney as well as possibly to the Florida Disney resort of Orlando. Sir Richard said today: "This is an historic day and the A380 is a giant step for aircraft manufacturing. "It is an extremely economical plane to operate and is very fuelefficient and very quiet." 33 Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard said today: "We've written one of the most beautiful pages of aircraft history." Airbus has 149 firm orders for the aircraft so far, and a further 100 expressions of interest. [...]