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Airbus reports Nine-Month (9m) 2023 results

 
 
Airbus reports Nine-Month (9m) 2023 results
Amsterdam, 08 November 2023 – Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) reported consolidated financial results for the nine months ended 30 September 2023.

“We continue to make progress on our operational plan in a global environment that has become increasingly complex. The nine-month earnings reflect higher commercial aircraft deliveries, the good performance in helicopters as well as charges linked to the reassessment of certain satellite development programmes,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer. “Demand for our commercial aircraft is very strong with a continuing recovery in the widebody market. We expect the supply chain to remain challenging as we progress on the production ramp-up. In that context, we maintain our guidance for the full year.”

Gross commercial aircraft orders totalled 1,280 (9m 2022: 856 aircraft) with net orders of 1,241 aircraft after cancellations (9m 2022: 647 aircraft). The order backlog amounted to 7,992 commercial aircraft at the end of September 2023. Airbus Helicopters registered 191 net orders (9m 2022: 246 units) which were well spread across programmes. Airbus Defence and Space’s order intake by value was € 8.5 billion (9m 2022: € 8.0 billion), including the renewal of the in-service support contract for Germany’s A400M fleet.

Consolidated revenues increased 12 percent year-on-year to € 42.6 billion (9m 2022: € 38.1 billion). A total of 488 commercial aircraft were delivered (9m 2022: 437(1)(2) aircraft), comprising 41 A220s, 391 A320 Family, 20 A330s and 36 A350s. Revenues generated by Airbus’ commercial aircraft activities increased 18 percent, mainly reflecting the higher number of deliveries. Airbus Helicopters’ deliveries increased slightly to 197 units (9m 2022: 193 units) with revenues rising 3 percent, reflecting the overall performance across programmes and services. Revenues at Airbus Defence and Space decreased 6 percent, mainly driven by a backloaded A400M delivery profile and updated Estimates at Completion of certain satellite development programmes. A total of 4 A400M military airlifters were delivered (9m 2022: 7 aircraft).

Consolidated EBIT Adjusted – an alternative performance measure and key indicator capturing the underlying business margin by excluding material charges or profits caused by movements in provisions related to programmes, restructuring or foreign exchange impacts as well as capital gains/losses from the disposal and acquisition of businesses – was € 3,631 million (9m 2022: € 3,481 million).

EBIT Adjusted related to Airbus’ commercial aircraft activities increased to € 3,216 million (9m 2022: € 2,875 million), reflecting the higher deliveries and a more favourable hedge rate, partially offset by investments for preparing the future. 9m 2022 included the non-recurring positive impact from retirement obligations partly offset by the impact resulting from international sanctions against Russia. In H1 2023 provisions were released to reflect further progress made on compliance-related topics.

The ramp-up on the A220 programme is continuing towards a monthly production rate of 14 aircraft in 2026. Production on the A320 Family programme is progressing well towards the previously announced rate of 75 aircraft per month in 2026. The modernisation and digitalisation of the industrial system continues, as illustrated by the inauguration of the A321XLR equipment installation hangar in Hamburg. The A321XLR is progressing towards certification, with entry-into-service expected to take place in Q2 2024.

On widebody aircraft, the Company has decided to increase the production rate for the A350 to 10 aircraft a month in 2026 and continues to target rate 4 for the A330 in 2024.

Airbus Helicopters’ EBIT Adjusted increased to € 417 million (9m 2022: € 380 million), reflecting the overall performance across programmes and services. 9m 2022 also included net positive non-recurring elements.

EBIT Adjusted at Airbus Defence and Space decreased to € -1 million (9m 2022: € 231 million). It included charges of € 0.4 billion related to updated Estimates at Completion of certain satellite development programmes, mostly recorded in the third quarter. 9m 2022 also included net positive non-recurring elements.

On the A400M programme, development activities continue towards achieving the revised capability roadmap. Retrofit activities are progressing in close alignment with the customer. No further net material impact was recognised in the first nine months of 2023. Risks remain on the qualification of technical capabilities and associated costs, on aircraft operational reliability, on cost reductions and on securing overall volume as per the revised baseline.

In order to cope with an evolving defence and security environment, the Company has launched a transformation of its Defence and Space division. This aims to adapt ways of working, focusing on rigorous programme execution and a rebalancing of risks and opportunities to reinforce end-to-end accountability and ownership in the business lines and improve competitiveness.

Consolidated self-financed R&D expenses totalled € 2,167 million (9m 2022: € 1,965 million).

Consolidated EBIT (reported) amounted to € 2,712 million (9m 2022: € 3,552 million), including net Adjustments of € -919 million.

These Adjustments comprised:

The financial result was € 231 million (9m 2022: € -306 million). It mainly reflects a positive impact from the revaluation of certain equity investments and the evolution of the US dollar, partly offset by negative impacts from the revaluation of financial instruments. Consolidated net income(3) was € 2,332 million (9m 2022: € 2,568 million) with consolidated reported earnings per share of € 2.96 (9m 2022: € 3.26).

Consolidated free cash flow before M&A and customer financing was € 1,037 million (9m 2022: € 2,899 million), mainly reflecting the inventory build-up in Q3, consistent with the backloaded delivery profile and production ramp-up.

Consolidated free cash flow of € 718 million (9m 2022: € 2,502 million) included € -261 million of customer financing, mostly related to the planned execution of certain contractual obligations. The gross cash position stood at € 22.4 billion at the end of September 2023 (year-end 2022: € 23.6 billion), with a consolidated net cash position of € 8.3 billion (year-end 2022: € 9.4 billion).Outlook

The guidance issued in February 2023 is maintained.

As the basis for its 2023 guidance, the Company assumes no additional disruptions to the world economy, air traffic, the supply chain, the Company’s internal operations, and its ability to deliver products and services.

The Company’s 2023 guidance is before M&A.

On that basis, the Company targets to achieve in 2023 around:


On 26 October 2023, Airbus received notice from the US State Department that the Consent Agreement it had entered into in January 2020 had been closed, based on fulfilment of its terms. This notice, as well as the earlier discontinuation of the deferred prosecution agreements of Airbus with the UK Serious Fraud Office, France’s Parquet National Financier and the US Department of Justice, concludes a three-year probation period during which Airbus demonstrated to the authorities its commitment to compliance and integrity. This enables Airbus to move forward and continue to grow in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Note to editors: Live Webcast of the Analyst Conference Call
 
At 19:30 CET on 08 November 2023, you can follow the 9m 2023 Results Analyst Conference Call via the Airbus website https://www.airbus.com/en/investors . The analyst call presentation can also be found on the website. A recording will be made available in due course. For a reconciliation of Airbus’ KPIs to “reported IFRS” please refer to the analyst presentation.
Courtesy translations available on the Airbus newsroom

Contact for the media 

Note to editors: Live Webcast of the Analyst Conference Call
 
At 19:30 CET on 08 November 2023, you can follow the 9m 2023 Results Analyst Conference Call via the Airbus website https://www.airbus.com/en/investors . The analyst call presentation can also be found on the website. A recording will be made available in due course. For a reconciliation of Airbus’ KPIs to “reported IFRS” please refer to the analyst presentation.
Courtesy translations available on the Airbus newsroom

Contact for the media 

Justin Dubon
Airbus
+33 6 74 97 49 51

Daniel Werdung
Airbus
+49 160 715 8152

Consolidated Airbus – Nine-Month (9m) 2023 Results 

Consolidated Airbus – Nine-Month (9m) 2023 Results 

(Amounts in Euro)
Consolidated Airbus 9m 2023 9m 2022 Change
Revenues, in millions
thereof defence, in millions		 42,560
7,249		 38,119
7,541		 +12%
 -4%
EBIT Adjusted, in millions 3,631 3,481 +4%
EBIT (reported), in millions 2,712 3,552 -24%
Research & Development expenses, in millions 2,167 1,965 +10%
Net Income(3), in millions 2,332 2,568 -9%
Earnings Per Share  2.96 3.26 -9%
Free Cash Flow (FCF), in millions 718 2,502 -71%
Free Cash Flow before M&A, in millions 776 2,609 -70%
Free Cash Flow before M&A and Customer Financing, in millions 1,037 2,899 -64%
 
Consolidated Airbus 30 Sept. 2023 31 Dec. 2022 Change
Net Cash position, in millions of Euro 8,315 9,431 -12%
Number of employees 145,511 134,267 +8%
 
By Business Segment Revenues EBIT (reported)
(Amounts in millions of Euro) 9m 2023 9m 2022 Change 9m 2023 9m 2022 Change
Airbus 31,507 26,654 +18% 2,306 3,241 -29%
Airbus Helicopters 4,662 4,515 +3% 410 380 +8%
Airbus Defence and Space 7,133 7,593 -6% -3 -64 -
Eliminations -742 -643 - -1 -5 -
Total 42,560 38,119 +12% 2,712 3,552 -24%
 
By Business Segment EBIT Adjusted
(Amounts in millions of Euro) 9m 2023 9m 2022 Change
Airbus 3,216 2,875 +12%
Airbus Helicopters 417 380 +10%
Airbus Defence and Space -1 231 -
Eliminations -1 -5 -
Total 3,631 3,481 +4%
 
By Business Segment Order Intake (net) Order Book
  9m 2023 9m 2022 Change 30 Sept. 2023 30 Sept. 2022 Change
Airbus, in units 1,241 647 +92% 7,992 7,294 +10%
Airbus Helicopters, in  units 191 246 -22% 751 792 -5%
Airbus Defence and Space, in millions of Euro 8,469 7,991 +6% N/A N/A N/A
 

Consolidated Airbus – Third Quarter (Q3) 2023 Results

(Amounts in Euro)
Consolidated Airbus Q3 2023 Q3 2022 Change
Revenues, in millions 14,897 13,309 +12%
EBIT Adjusted, in millions 1,013 836 +21%
EBIT (reported), in millions 825 973 -15%
Net Income(3), in millions 806 667 +21%
Earnings Per Share 1.02 0.85 +20%
 
By Business Segment Revenues EBIT (reported)
(Amounts in millions of
Euro)		 Q3 2023 Q3 2022 Change Q3 2023 Q3 2022 Change
Airbus 11,158 9,121 +22% 783 763 +3%
Airbus Helicopters 1,468 1,771 -17% 143 165 -13%
Airbus Defence and Space 2,480 2,537 -2% -90 49 -
Eliminations -209 -120 - -11 -4 -
Total 14,897 13,309 +12% 825 973 -15%
 
By Business Segment EBIT Adjusted
(Amounts in millions of Euro) Q3 2023 Q3 2022 Change
Airbus 960 599 +60%
Airbus Helicopters 143 165 -13%
Airbus Defence and Space -79 76 - 
Eliminations -11 -4 -
Total 1,013 836 +21%
 

Q3 2023 revenues increased by 12 percent, mainly reflecting the higher commercial aircraft deliveries, partly offset by the lower contribution from the Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space divisions, in particular by the reduced helicopter deliveries.  
Q3 2023 EBIT Adjusted increased by 21 percent, mainly reflecting the increased commercial aircraft deliveries and a positive year-on-year impact from currency hedging, partly offset by the charges related to updated Estimates at Completion of certain satellite development programmes.
Q3 2023 EBIT (reported) of € 825 million included net Adjustments of € -188 million. Net Adjustments in the third quarter of 2022 amounted to € 137 million. 
Q3 2023 Net Income(3) of € 806 million mainly reflects the EBIT (reported), € 129 million from the financial result and € -192 million from income tax.


EBIT (reported) / EBIT Adjusted Reconciliation
The table below reconciles EBIT (reported) with EBIT Adjusted.
 
Consolidated Airbus
(Amounts in millions of Euro)		 9m 2023
EBIT (reported) 2,712
thereof:  
$ PDP mismatch/balance sheet revaluation -806
Aerostructures transformation -57
Others -56
EBIT Adjusted 3,631
 

Glossary
 
KPI DEFINITION
EBIT
 		 The Company continues to use the term EBIT (Earnings before interest and taxes). It is identical to Profit before finance cost and income taxes as defined by IFRS Rules.
Adjustment Adjustment, an alternative performance measure, is a term used by the Company which includes material charges or profits caused by movements in provisions related to programmes, restructuring or foreign exchange impacts as well as capital gains/losses from the disposal and acquisition of businesses.
EBIT Adjusted The Company uses an alternative performance measure, EBIT Adjusted, as a key indicator capturing the underlying business margin by excluding material charges or profits caused by movements in provisions related to programmes, restructuring or foreign exchange impacts as well as capital gains/losses from the disposal and acquisition of businesses.
EPS Adjusted EPS Adjusted is an alternative performance measure of basic earnings per share as reported whereby the net income as the numerator does include Adjustments. For reconciliation, see the Analyst presentation.
Gross cash position The Company defines its consolidated gross cash position as the sum of (i) cash and cash equivalents and (ii) securities (all as recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position).
Net cash position The Company defines its consolidated net cash position as the sum of (i) cash and cash equivalents and (ii) securities, minus (iii) financing liabilities, plus or minus (iiii) interest rate contracts related to fair value hedges (all as recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position).
Free Cash Flow (FCF) For the definition of the alternative performance measure Free Cash Flow, see the Universal Registration Document, MD&A section 2.1.6.1. It is a key indicator which allows the Company to measure the amount of cash flow generated from operations after cash used in investing activities.
FCF before M&A
FCF before M&A refers to Free Cash Flow as defined in the Universal Registration Document, MD&A section 2.1.6.1 adjusted for net proceeds from disposals and acquisitions. It is an alternative performance measure and key indicator that reflects free cash flow excluding those cash flows resulting from acquisitions and disposals of businesses.
FCF before M&A and Customer Financing
FCF before M&A and Customer Financing refers to Free Cash Flow before mergers and acquisitions adjusted for cash flow related to aircraft financing activities. It is an alternative performance measure and indicator that may be used occasionally by the Company in its financial guidance, especially when there is higher uncertainty around customer financing activities.
 
 

Footnotes:
  1. Before a reduction of two aircraft previously recorded as sold in December 2021 for which a transfer was not possible due to international sanctions against Russia.
  2. Two A350s delivered on operating lease without revenue recognition at delivery.
  3. Airbus SE continues to use the term Net Income/Loss. It is identical to Profit/Loss for the period attributable to equity owners of the parent as defined by IFRS Rules.

Safe Harbour Statement:
This press release includes forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “may” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements made about strategy, ramp-up and delivery schedules, introduction of new products and services and market expectations, as well as statements regarding future performance and outlook. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
These factors include but are not limited to:
  • Changes in general economic, political or market conditions, including the cyclical nature of some of Airbus’ businesses;
  • Significant disruptions in air travel (including as a result of the spread of disease or terrorist attacks);
  • Currency exchange rate fluctuations, in particular between the Euro and the U.S. dollar;
  • The successful execution of internal performance plans, including cost reduction and productivity efforts;
  • Product performance risks, as well as programme development and management risks;
  • Customer, supplier and subcontractor performance or contract negotiations, including financing issues;
  • Competition and consolidation in the aerospace and defence industry;
  • Significant collective bargaining labour disputes;
  • The outcome of political and legal processes, including the availability of government financing for certain programmes and the size of defence and space procurement budgets;
  • Research and development costs in connection with new products;
  • Legal, financial and governmental risks related to international transactions;
  • Legal and investigatory proceedings and other economic, political and technological risks and uncertainties;
  • Changes in societal expectations and regulatory requirements about climate change;
  • The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting health and economic crisis;
  • Aggravation of adverse geopolitical events, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting imposition of export control restrictions and international sanctions, and rising military tensions around the world.
As a result, Airbus SE’s actual results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in such forward-looking statements. For more information about the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, see note 2 “Ukraine Crisis” of the Notes to the Airbus SE Unaudited Condensed Interim IFRS Consolidated Financial Statements for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2023. For more information about the impact of the Macroeconomic Environment, see note 3 “Macroeconomic Environment” of the Notes to the Airbus SE Unaudited Condensed Interim IFRS Consolidated Financial Statements for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2023. For more information about factors that could cause future results to differ from such forward-looking statements, please refer to Airbus SE’s most recent annual report, including the financial statements and notes thereto, the most recent Universal Registration Document and the most recent Risk Factors. Any forward-looking statement contained in this press release speaks as of the date of this press release. Airbus SE undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements in light of new information, future events or otherwise.

Rounding
Due to rounding, numbers presented may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.