Our origins: the roots of Airbus
Our origins
From as far back as the 1900s, Europe’s aviation pioneers drove progress through a spirit of innovation and fierce competition. Today, Airbus is the inheritor of a significant portion of Europe’s aerospace history.
Find out how these pioneers and the early companies came together and led to the creation of Airbus.
Our journey
European aviation has seen many major milestones: mastering powered flight in the 1900s, commercial flight in the 1920s, all-metal aircraft in the 1930s, and the jet age in the 1950s. In the period spanning the 1950s to the 1970s the industry embraced new technologies for helicopters, launchers and satellites as well as supersonic flight with Concorde. In 1970, the Airbus A300 marked a new era of European collaboration.
Airbus has grown from this legacy into a global leader, driving innovation and sustainability in aerospace. The story continues…
Aircraft profiles
Some of the most iconic aircraft of the past have been designed and built by Airbus and its predecessor companies. From the first Airbus, the A300 B1, to the 1909 Blériot XI, take a beautifully illustrated tour of some of the legendary aircraft and helicopters that have marked the history of aerospace.
From the archives
In the spotlight
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A daring vision takes flight: 25 years of Airbus as an integrated company
Web Story
Company
A daring vision takes flight: On 10 July 2000, the European aerospace and defence landscape was radically reshaped. -
Airbus and Korean Air celebrate 50 years of partnership
Web Story
Commercial Aircraft
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Airbus finalises acquisition of Aerovel and its UAS Flexrotor
Press Release
Helicopters
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#EurofighterNextGen - Taking the Eurofighter to the next level
Web Story
Defence
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The Transall Turns 60
Web Story
Company
