Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

Airbus reported higher revenues, earnings, and commercial aircraft and helicopter deliveries in the first half of 2019 compared to the year-ago period, but a sharp decline in orders.&nbsp;“The half-year financial performance mainly reflects the ramp-up in production of A320 family aircraft and transition to the more efficient Neo version, as well as further progress on the A350 financial performance,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.&nbsp;

 


Airbus delivered 389 commercial aircraft and 143 helicopters in this year's first half compared with 303 and 141, respectively, in the same period last year, but new orders for both plunged for the period from the year-ago period:&nbsp;213 commercial aircraft gross orders compared to 261 and 88 net orders compared to 206. Airbus tallied 123 helicopter orders compared to 143 in H1 2018. A320neo family aircraft continue to dominate but new aircraft deliveries and orders, comprising 234 of the 294 A320 aircraft delivered in H1 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;Minus the A320 deliveries in H1 2019, Airbus delivered 21 A220s, 17 A330s, 53 A350s and 4 A380s. Helicopter orders included 23 NH90 military helicopters for Spain and 11 H145 twins. Nevertheless, despite the order drop, Airbus’s backlog stands at a healthy 7,276 aircraft as of June 30.&nbsp;

 


Earnings per share more than doubled to $1.71 from $0.71. The company reported that consolidated&nbsp;revenues&nbsp;increased to $34.4&nbsp;billion&nbsp;(H1 2018: $27.8 billion), mainly reflecting higher commercial aircraft deliveries and favorable foreign exchange, while earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose to&nbsp;$2.82 billion&nbsp;(H1 2018:&nbsp;$1.29 billion). Unwinding the A380 program continues to account for charges to the bottom line, some $151 million to date of which $83.5 million were booked in the 1H 2019. Other profit drags included a $231.5 million charge related to the suspension of German export licenses to Saudi Arabia, of which $20 million was booked in Q2 2019. Earnings from the company’s helicopter and defense units also declined for the period, helicopters dropping to $139 million from $150 million and space and defense falling to $248 million from $344 million. R&amp;D spending increased slightly to $1.59 billion from $1.56 billion.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Airbus Deliveries Up, Orders Down 

Airbus more than doubles earnings for the first half of 2019 while new orders fall sharply

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Gordon Gilbert

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Takes effect April 1, 2026, and applies to non-commercial aircraft

Wash. State Legislators Approve 10% Aircraft Luxury Tax

Matt Thurber

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Majority of aviation funding would bolster air traffic control system

NBAA Appauds Passage of Bizav-friendly Budget Bill

Sarah Rose

Revenue from every sale is dedicated to support medical flights

Arcadia Jets Supports Angel Flight West Charity Flights

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Wash. State Legislators Approve 10% Aircraft Luxury Tax

Takes effect April 1, 2026, and applies to non-commercial aircraft

NBAA Appauds Passage of Bizav-friendly Budget Bill

Majority of aviation funding would bolster air traffic control system

Arcadia Jets Supports Angel Flight West Charity Flights

Revenue from every sale is dedicated to support medical flights

French Bizav Group Presses for Reversal of Charter Tax

Solidarity tax has added thousands of euros to the cost of some trips

Preowned Jet Market Shifts as G650 Supply Increases

End of G650 era impacts pricing trends, according to Jefferies

IADA Appoints First Staffer in Europe

The move gives the group its firsrt foothold outside North America

Jetcraft Adds Crypto Payments for Aircraft Buyers

Modern payment option enables transactions with digital assets

Asia-Pacific Turbine Helicopter Fleet Grows in 2024

Asian Sky documents modest gains amid steady demand

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN