IN SPITE OF decreased Airbus deliveries during the period, the initial results of its restructuring programme have left Aerospatiale with its first half-yearly profits since 1991.
Orders for the first six months stood at Fr23.3 billion ($4.5 billion) against Fr20.4 billion for the same period in 1995 and just Fr39.3 billion for the whole of 1995. Aerospatiale adds that orders taken up to the end of August had reached Fr38.8 billion.
Turnover for the period was down, at Fr23.11 billion, but Aerospatiale says that this is because Airbus deliveries were only two-thirds of those for the same period of 1995. A second-half increase, reaching a year-end total of 126 Airbus deliveries, should see turnover around the same as 1995, at Fr49.2 billion. Net profits stood at Fr273 million by the end of June, against a loss of Fr105 million in 1995. "This reflects the first results of the restructuring plan," says Aerospatiale, "which will realise its full effects in 1998."
Source: Flight International
