EADS plans to ramp up its Power8 cost-cutting programme and to pay more European suppliers in dollars after the weak US currency wiped €1 billion ($1.46 billion) off its revenues in 2009.
Chief executive Louis Gallois said that, despite a stronger than expected year for deliveries - particularly with Airbus - its revenues of €41.7 billion would have been €1 billion higher had the dollar not dropped 10¢ in value against the euro over 2008.
Speaking in Seville this week, Gallois warned that a shrinking Airbus and Eurocopter orderbook, the impact of the financial crisis on defence spending and the continuing fragility of the airline market would make 2010 a "challenging year".
He said capital expenditure would be "protected" for key projects such as the A350, as well as research and development. The company still had a "strong net cash position", he said.
Source: Flight International