The narrative
Airbus is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military airlifters, with a 40-plus year track record of innovation, technological firsts and industry milestones.
A comprehensive history of Airbus is provided in the chapters below – which cover the company’s creation and launch of the game-changing A300, all the way to its continued leadership in the 21st century and new-generation A380 and A350 XWB programmes.
- Early days (1967-1969)
- Trouble and strife (1968-1969)
- First order, first flight (1970-1972)
- Champagne…and drought (1973-1977)
- Technology leaders (1977-1979)
- Fly-by-wire (1980-1987)
- The family grows (1988-1991)
- Expansion (1991-1992)
- Record-breakers (1993-2000)
- Going global (2001-2004)
- The “wow” factor…and a new era dawns (2004-2007)
- Challenges and achievements (2006-2009)
- Preparing the future (2009-2010)
- Confirming Airbus’ industry leadership (2011)
- Higher production goals, while new aircraft take shape (2012)
- Continuing the momentum (2013)
Orders & deliveries
| Total orders | 12433 |
|---|---|
| Total deliveries | 7665 |
| In operation | 7117 |
Downloadable assets
- Airbus 40 years of innovation - timeline illustrated
- About Airbus - backgrounder
Latest news
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11 February 2013
Airbus corporate jet is exhibited in Australia for first time -
7 February 2013
A350 XWB’s Trent XWB engine achieves EASA type certification -
7 February 2013
Open Day at the Airbus Lycée, Saturday 16th February to discover the aeronautical professions it proposes for young people -
4 February 2013
Turkish Airlines orders five additional A330 passenger aircraft -
4 February 2013
Significant lessor order for Airbus’ newest, most fuel efficient aircraft
Creating added value while minimising environmental impact at every step of the aircraft life-cycle:
Around the clock... around the world
Out-sized cargo transport
NEW! Supporting “Plant a Pledge”, the largest land restoration initiative ever
Thinking global, acting local
Airbus corporate jet is exhibited in Australia for first time
NEW! Follow the industrial adventure of the A350 XWB by regularly visiting the www.a350xwb.com dedicated website
Application process and link to EADS online e-Recruiting tool 
17 January 2013
History
Environment
Aircraft families
FAQs
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