Introduction to Airbus’s 2023 Achievements
Airbus has made significant strides in 2023, showcasing a robust performance with plans to enhance production capacities in the forthcoming years. The company’s CEO, Guillaume Faury, emphasized during a press conference on February 15, 2024, that Airbus is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality, even as production rates increase. This commitment comes in the wake of ambitious delivery targets set by the company, aiming for a substantial rise in aircraft deliveries.
Details on Production and Delivery Targets
In its 2023 results, Airbus detailed the ongoing success of the A220 ramp-up, projecting a monthly production rate of 14 aircraft by 2026. Similarly, the A320 family program is on track to reach a production rate of 75 aircraft per month by 2026. A significant milestone was achieved with the Airbus A321XLR, entering the final stages of production in December 2023, and is expected to enter service between July and September 2024. Airbus also outlined its plans for widebody aircraft, targeting a monthly production rate of four A330s in 2024 and ten A350s by 2026. The company celebrated the delivery of 735 aircraft in 2023, marking an 11% increase from the previous year, with targets to deliver around 800 aircraft in 2024. This achievement contributed to a 11% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenues, reaching $70.1 billion.
Airbus’s Commitment to Quality and Safety
Responding to concerns about quality and safety, especially following the incident involving Alaska Airlines flight 1282, CEO Guillaume Faury passionately reaffirmed Airbus’s dedication to quality over quantity. Faury stressed the importance of delivering aircraft that meet the highest standards of quality and safety, a principle that is deeply ingrained in the company’s ethos and operational priorities. This commitment is especially critical during periods of production acceleration, ensuring that the increase in quantity does not compromise the quality and safety of the aircraft delivered.
Furthermore, Airbus’s remarkable order intake in 2023, including significant orders from Indian carrier IndiGo and Turkish Airlines, has bolstered its order backlog to 8,598 commercial planes. This solidifies Airbus’s position in the market and underscores the trust that its partners place in the company’s capabilities and commitment to excellence.
Guillaume Faury concluded by highlighting Airbus’s ongoing investments in its global industrial system, its focus on transformation, and the journey towards decarbonisation. The proposed dividends reflect the strong financial performance in 2023, the promising growth prospects for 2024, and the overall strength of Airbus’s balance sheet.