A bold plan soars aloft: The 25-year journey of Airbus as a unified enterprise
The Airbus Group, a leading name in the global aerospace industry, has a rich history that dates back to the dawn of aviation in Europe. This evolution began in 2000, marking a significant turning point in the Airbus story.
In that year, most partners in the Airbus consortium (except BAE Systems) merged into the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), which acquired an 80% share of Airbus. This marked the transition from the original Airbus Industrie GIE setup to a consolidated aerospace group [1].
The following year, in 2001, the Airbus GIE was replaced by a single private company, Airbus SAS, centralizing Airbus commercial aircraft activities under one entity [1]. By 2006, EADS had acquired the remaining 20% stake in Airbus from BAE Systems, gaining full ownership [1].
The Spanish aerospace company CASA was incorporated into EADS around 2000, and its aircraft (such as the CASA C-295) were rebranded under the EADS umbrella, integrating Spain’s aerospace capabilities [3].
In 2014, EADS was renamed Airbus Group to reflect a unified brand identity [1]. Subsequently, in 2017, Airbus Group merged with Airbus SAS, fully integrating all Airbus commercial and defense segments into a single company called Airbus SE [1].
This evolution represents Airbus’s transformation from a multinational consortium into a consolidated global aerospace corporation. Significant organizational changes include the consolidation of previously separate entities (EADS, Airbus Industrie, CASA) into one group and rebranding phases to clarify corporate identity.
Airbus currently employs over 150,000 people worldwide and operates in the commercial aircraft, helicopter, defence, and space sectors. The company's culture is rooted in diversity and pioneering spirit, and it is committed to leading the industry's transition towards sustainable aerospace.
The integration of the three companies aimed to achieve industrial leadership and competitiveness in both the civil and defence segments. Notably, the Eurofighter program and other European defense aerospace projects run in parallel but are distinct entities associated with former EADS partners [2].
Looking back, Airbus is proud of its role in shaping the aerospace and defence industry. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global leader, Airbus continues to strive for excellence and innovation in the skies above.
[1] Airbus. (2021). History of Airbus. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/history
[2] Eurofighter. (2021). About Eurofighter. Retrieved from https://www.eurofighter.com/about-us/
[3] CASA. (2021). History of CASA. Retrieved from https://www.casa.aero/en/heritage/history
The rebranding of EADS to Airbus Group in 2014 consolidated the company's identity, and the subsequent merger with Airbus SAS in 2017 further integrated all Airbus commercial and defense segments. Today, Airbus operates in the finance-intensive sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopter, defense, and space, embodying a diverse and innovative spirit. Airbus's evolution matches its ambition to lead the industry in the transition towards sustainable aerospace.
