EADS saw revenue rise by 7% to €40 billion ($54 billion) in the nine months to 30 September on the back of commercial aircraft deliveries and the first handovers of Airbus Military A400M airlifters.
EBIT before one-offs was also up by 22% to €2.3 billion and order intake at the European aerospace and defence giant more than doubled to €138 billion, with the order book value at €642 billion.
The strong improvement in revenue and profitability was largely driven by its Airbus civil aircraft business, says chief executive Tom Enders, although he notes "significant challenges" ahead with the execution of the A350 programme and in terms of cash generation.
Enders says he is "pleased" with the progress made in the reorganisation of its Cassidian defence and Astrium space businesses into the new Airbus Defence & Space division. He promises an update on restructuring activity before year-end including a review of potential one-off costs from the changes.
Airbus Military received eight net orders in the nine-month period, against 30 the year before and delivered 18 aircraft, including the first two A400Ms to the French air force. One further handover of the new airlifter will take place before year-end, a reduction on the four deliveries initially planned.
"Progressive enhancement of military capability will follow with subsequent upgrades in line with customer discussions," the company adds.
Revenue at Eurocopter was stable at €4.1 billion, with 312 deliveries in the period. It booked 276 net orders during the first nine months of 2013 and its order book stands at 1,034 helicopters worth €13 billion.
Astrium recorded revenue of €4 billion, up slightly year on year, and revenue at Cassidian was flat at €3.4 billion.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
