(AOF) – Aviation Capital Group (ACG), 100% owned by Tokyo Century Corporation, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the acquisition of twenty A220s as well as a firm contract for the purchase of 40 A320neo family aircraft, including five A321XLRs.
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= / Key points / =
-Aeronautical manufacturer co-world leader with Boeing, born in 1949 under the name of Aerospace, diversified in satellites;
– Turnover of € 49.9 billion, drawn from civil aircraft at 67%, from defense & space activities at 21% and at 12% from helicopters;
– Order book of € 373 billion, 29% from Asia-Pacific, 30% from Europe, 21% from North America, 9% from the Middle East and 5% from Latin America;
– Business model of offering aeronautical and space solutions that are safe and respectful of the environment, with a strong commitment to society and public services;
– Open capital with strong positions in the French, German (11% each) and Spanish (4%) States, the 9-member board of directors being chaired by René Obermann, Guillaume Faury being CEO;
– Financial situation supported by public finances, liquidity at the end of June amounting to nearly € 34 billion.
= / Issues / =
– “Next Chapter” initiative based on 3 pillars – simplification, strengthening and growth – and aimed at creating a more profitable, more resilient company and a leader in the decarbonisation of the industry;
– Innovation strategy integrated into the business model and supported by € 2.9 billion in R&D:
– “Fast-Track” roadmap prioritizing electrification, industrial systems, connectivity, autonomy, equipment and artificial intelligence,
– “CRT” organization focused on breakthrough technologies, associated with external partnerships,
– structuring: E-Fan Family, ATTOL Fello’Fly, ACIC, TELEO, .ACUBED, BIZ Lab…;
– Environmental strategy with the ambition to become n ° 1 in carbon-free aviation:
– design of a “ZEROe” aircraft with hybrid-hydrogen fuel,
– integration into the reporting of emissions issued by customers,
– launch of 2 hydrogen engine development centers in France and Germany,
– High5 + initiative to reduce emissions and waste during the production process;
– Ramping up of the A320 Family and A350 freighter.
= / Challenges / =
– Expectation for 2023, or even 2025, of the resumption of air traffic to 2019 levels;
– Stock market sensitivity to order intake, type A321 by Delta Airlines;
– Evolution of the legal file opposing the group to the German OHB;
– Impact of the pandemic: 30% increase in turnover at the end of June and return to net profitability – € 2.2 billion -, boosted by the rebound in sales in civil aeronautics;
– 2021 objectives, noted: delivery of 600 civil aircraft, operating profit of 4.5 billion and free self-financing of 2.5 billion €;
– Cancellation of the 2020 dividend
The long way to the plane of the future
European Commissioner Thierry Breton wants to launch an alliance for “zero emission aviation” in order to prepare the necessary investments, identify possible obstacles and promote public-private partnerships. This alliance would be part of the European “Destination 2050” roadmap, with in particular the commitment to reduce CO2 emissions from air transport by 50%. The launch by Airbus of a first “zero emission” airliner from 2035 will be one of the flagship projects. A clear framework for the use of commercial aircraft operating on 100% biomass fuels, called biofuel, or hydrogen must be established. According to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the devices are currently only certified to fly with 50% biofuel.