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Airbus Helicopters points to steady performance in complex 2022

Airbus Helicopters in 2022 logged 374 gross orders (net: 362), highlighting what it describes as an ongoing market recovery with 216 light single engine helicopters sold. Deliveries increased from 338 in 2021 to 344 in 2022. Airbus Helicopters states these figures point to a preliminary 52 per cent share of the civil and parapublic market. Airbus’ helicopter fleet flight hours are now back to pre-COVID 2019 levels.

“2022 was a year in which Airbus Helicopters solidified its recovery, in a context of instability with the war in Ukraine and a fragile supply chain… Our orders came from 203 customers in 48 countries, underlining the importance of our global network as well as showing that in uncertain times, the role of helicopters is more essential than ever,” said Bruno Even, CEO, Airbus Helicopters.

Airbus also points to what it describes as important first deliveries, including the first ACH160 being delivered to a Brazilian customer in July 2022, followed by All Nippon Helicopter’s H160 entry into service in Japan, and the French Navy taking delivery of the first H160 for SAR operations. In October, Airbus also delivered the first H135s to the Spanish Ministry of Interior following the major order 10 months prior.

Airbus continues to point to important support and services contracts confirmed in 2022, such as an NHIndustries contract with NAHEMA for the French and German NH90s, a follow-on contract with the US Army for more than 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota helicopters. The Helicopter Company signed In-Service HCare contracts for its fleet of 20 H145s and six ACH160s.

“It is no surprise that security is currently a priority for many countries. This is reflected in our order book with an important contract for 27 H125s with our longstanding partner, the Brazilian armed forces,” said Even. “We launched a major upgrade of the Tiger helicopter for the French and Spanish armies and we are also progressing with the design of the H175M assembly line in Broughton should we win the New Medium Helicopter campaign in the UK.”

Airbus Helicopters also made note of its inroads made on its decarbonization roadmap, based on a threefold approach of SAF, hybridization, and electrification.

“The unveiling of our DisruptiveLab demonstrator at the Airbus Summit is another significant step to decarbonizing vertical lift,” said Even. “The aircraft that took flight on 13 January will demonstrate our capability to reduce CO2 emissions by 50 per cent. Our commitment to sustainability also saw us forge more partnerships that will support the optimal entry into service of the CityAirbus NextGen, our eVTOL prototype,”

Airbus in 202 also notes it has furthered the development of its unmanned aerial system (UAS), the VSR700, which began trialing autonomous take-off and landing capabilities at sea. In June 2022, Airbus Helicopters was named coordinator of the “EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project” (ENGRT) which is a Research and Technology project funded by the European Defence Fund, paving the way for the next generation of military rotorcraft in Europe.

The company’s 2022 full year financial results will be disclosed on February 16, 2023.