Airbus Reports €4.2 Billion Profit in 2024, Outpacing Boeing

20 de febrero de 2025 - 16:02

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Airbus closed fiscal year 2024 with a €4.2 billion net profit, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. The company’s total revenue grew by 6%, reaching €69.2 billion, driven by higher aircraft deliveries and strong performance across key divisions.

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The European manufacturer delivered 766 commercial aircraft, surpassing the 735 units in 2023. However, net orders dropped 61%, from 2,094 in 2023 to 826 in 2024. Despite this decline, Airbus maintains a robust order backlog of 8,658 aircraft, valued at €629 billion—€75 billion more than in 2023, ensuring long-term production stability.

Financial Performance by Division

Airbus reported an adjusted EBIT of €5.4 billion and a free cash flow (before customer financing) of €4.5 billion. The company met its 2024 financial targets and proposed a €2.00 per share dividend, plus a special dividend of €1.00 per share.

Key Divisional Results:

Commercial Aircraft: Revenue rose to €50.6 billion, fueled by increased deliveries, including:

75 A220s
602 A320-family aircraft
32 A330s
57 A350s

Helicopters: Airbus secured 450 net orders (+15% YoY) and saw revenue grow 8% to €7.9 billion.

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Defense & Space: Revenue increased 5% to €12.1 billion, but the division reported a -€566 million adjusted EBIT, impacted by €1.3 billion in charges on space programs.

Outlook for 2025

Looking ahead, Airbus aims to deliver 820 commercial aircraft and achieve an adjusted EBIT of €7 billion in 2025. However, challenges remain, particularly in scaling up A320 and A350 production, which is affected by supply chain issues, especially with Spirit AeroSystems.

A350 Freighter: Entry into service delayed to H2 2027.
A220: Monthly production target of 14 units by 2026.
A350: Monthly production goal of 12 aircraft by 2028.

The A400M military transport program faced additional cost overruns in 2024. Airbus updated its contract cost estimates, registering a €121 million charge, citing contract renegotiations and production risks.

"We secured strong order intake across all business segments in 2024, with a book-to-bill ratio well above 1, confirming sustained demand for our products and services," said Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus.

"We are refocusing on key priorities, particularly ramping up production and transforming our Defense and Space division. We remain committed to profitable growth and advancing our decarbonization strategy. Our financial results for 2024 and confidence in our future performance support our increased dividend proposal," he added.

Airbus vs. Boeing: A Stark Contrast

Airbus' strong financials contrast sharply with Boeing’s difficult year. The European manufacturer delivered 766 aircraft, more than double Boeing’s 348.

Net orders: Airbus 826, Boeing 377.
Profit/Loss: Airbus €4.2B profit, Boeing $11.8B loss.
Single-aisle segment: Airbus dominated with A220 and A320-family deliveries far outpacing the troubled 737 MAX.
Widebody segment: Airbus 89 aircraft, Boeing 83 (a narrower gap, potentially favoring Boeing without production disruptions).

Boeing struggled with 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 certification delays, a worker strike in Seattle, and regulatory scrutiny following the Alaska Airlines incident in January 2024.

Airbus Extends Its Lead

With Airbus maintaining financial stability, higher deliveries, and a strong backlog, its advantage over Boeing continues to grow, particularly in the single-aisle market.

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