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With a 50-year track record of innovation, technological firsts and industry milestones, Airbus has lived up to its official motto, “We Make It Fly,” from the company’s creation.
Today, Airbus is a leader in designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to a customer base that spans the globe – with operations for commercial aircraft, helicopters, defence and space.
Take a journey through some of the highlights of our company from the past 50 years, and learn more about Airbus’ continuing success story with the extensive 'History In Depth' pages below.
1960s historic highlights
The SA330 Puma performed its first flight
This medium-weight twin-engine was the first of a long series that has been built in various versions down to the present day. Read more >
First flight of the Gazelle SA341
It is the first helicopter equipped with an encased tail rotor, known as a Fenestron. Read more >
The Franco-British supersonic airliner Concorde takes off on its 1st flight in Toulouse
Commercial aviation took a supersonic leap into the future with Concorde’s maiden flight, which was captained by André Turcat. Read more >
29th May 1969: Official launch of the Airbus A300 Programme
The A300 programme was launched with a milestone agreement signed by French Transport Minister Jean Chamant and German Economics Minister Karl Schiller at the 1969 Paris Airshow, to build a commercial aircraft that was smaller, lighter and more economical than its three-engine American rivals. Read more >
Creation of MBB
In 1969, MBB (Messerschmitt – Bölkow – Blohm) was created by merging three companies. The group Messerschmitt – Bölkow, already in existance since the year before, and Hamburger Flugzeugbau GmbH, the aviation division of Blohm und Voss.
Trailblazing pioneers
Roger Béteille was a key figure at Airbus from 1967 to 1985 – and a driving force behind the A300 programme, serving initially as a Technical and Coordinating Manager, and becoming Managing Director in 1975. A large part of the company’s initial success can be traced back to Béteille: a believer in European cooperation, he joined Airbus still in its “preliminary” stage. Béteille’s first proposal of work-sharing (to have aircraft parts such as elements of the fuselage, the wing root and the wings produced by different entities) is still in place today. Béteille’s involvement in the A300 programme ensured the aircraft would match the needs of airline customers, and not just manufacturers’ ideas. Béteille retired from the company in 1985; the final assembly building for the Airbus A350 XWB in Toulouse is named after him.
René Mouille was pivotal in pushing the helicopter industry forward and garnered a collection of groundbreaking inventions to his name. He is at the origin of the design for the SE3120 (Alouette I) and the SE 3130 Alouette II (the first turbine helicopter), and the Alouette III in 1958; the Super Frelon in 1962; the Puma in 1964; the Gazelle in 1967; and the Dauphin and Ecureuil in the 1970s. In 1963, he was nominated Engineer-in-Chief of the helicopter division of Sud Aviation. With over 40 patents to his name, Mouille was instrumental in pushing the barriers of helicopter technology, such as with the hub NAT (Non-Articulated Drag) with visco-elastic dampers, as well as the famous Fenestron© shrouded tail rotor and the Starflex main rotor. He also invented the SARIB suspension system. The inventions by Mouille and his collaborators are still widely used in the helicopter industry today.
An innovator of the aeronautical industry in Germany, Ludwig Bölkow created the Bölkow GmbH in Ottobrunn, which developed into the biggest aeronautics and spaceflight company in the country, MBB (Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm). MBB was an aerospace manufacturer that was later bought by Deutsche Aerospace AG, which is now part of Airbus. Bölkow was the key figure in the design of the world's first jet fighter, the Me 262, and was leading the rebuilding of the German aviation industry following the Second World War. Bölkow was awarded the Ludwig-Prandtl-Ring from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics) for "outstanding contribution in the field of aerospace engineering" in 1972. He was awarded a Gold Medal by the British Royal Aeronautical Society in 1978.
1970s historic highlights
Airbus Industrie was officially created as a GIE
France’s Aerospatiale (a merger of SEREB, Sud Aviation and Nord Aviation), and Germany’s Deutsche Airbus – a grouping of four firms, Messerschmittwerke, Hamburger Flugzeugbau, VFW GmbH and Siebelwerke ATG - each took a 50 per cent stake. Read more >
First flight of C-212 Aviocar
Developed by Airbus predecessor CASA, the C212 has been used in charter and short-haul cargo roles, for search and rescue missions, and various military applications. Read more >
First flight of the SA360 Dauphin
The Aerospatiale built SA360 Dauphin was designed as the successor to the Alouette III. Read more >
The first flight of the A300 – the world's first twin engine wide-body aircraft
Marking a revolutionary step, the A300’s flight test campaign was performed by an international team of pilots. Read more >
An odyssey across South and North America
A300 embarks on a six-week sales expedition across North and South America to show off Airbus’ new creation to customers, pilots and executives. Read more >
Helios-A and Helios-B, launched in 1974 and 1976
Built by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, a German predecessor company to Airbus, they were designed to study solar processes and enabled the collection of data on comets. Read more >
A300B2 enters regular service for Air France
Initial commercial flights for Air France were from Paris to London. Read more >
First flight of the Tornado
The MRCA prototype, later known as the Tornado, took its maiden flight at Manching. The programme for this multi-role combat aircraft was initiated as a British-German-Italian joint venture, and was introduced into service beginning in the 1979. Read more >
The launch of the Franco-German communications satellite Symphonie
Symphonie was the first European communications satellite system, seen here during final calibration work at the Toulouse space centre, was launched into orbit aboard an American Delta rocket. Read more >
Launch of the first European weather satellite Meteosat
Meteosat, the first European weather satellite and the basis for Airbus’ competence in meteorological platforms. Built by an industrial consortium, the prototype Meteosat-1 was launched in 1977 on a U.S. Delta rocket, followed by six others that were orbited by Ariane launchers beginning in 1981. Read more >
Eastern Airlines, Airbus' first US customer, orders 23 A300B4 aircraft
After the breakthrough agreement with Eastern Airlines, there followed a series of orders that confirmed Airbus as a serious contender in the global aircraft manufacturing industry. Read more >
First flight of the AS332 Super Puma
The AS332 Super Puma, featuring anti-crash fuel tanks, which offered military users new guarantees in terms of survivability and, in time, all the customers of the range would benefit from these improvements. Read more >
First flight of BK 117
The precursor to the EC145, the BK117 was a 50:50 joint venture by MBB and Kawasaki. Read more >
First successful launch of the Ariane 1
The first Ariane 1 was launched in 1979 from the Guiana Space Centre, providing the framework for a family of vehicles that were to become a benchmark in the world’s launch service industry. Read more >
1980s historic highlights
Cockpit advances
Delivery of the first A300 FFCC jetliner version, received by Indonesian airline Garuda, incorporating the Forward-Facing Crew Cockpit configuration, which enabled a two-pilot crew to fly the aircraft without the need for a flight engineer. This was a world’s first for a wide-body aircraft. The two-crew forward-facing cockpit has since become an airline industry standard. Read more >
First flight of the A310
The “Airbus Family” began with the shorter-fuselage A310 and longer-range A300. Lufthansa and Swissair were the first carriers. Read more >
Spacelab starts its journey into space
Spacelab, built in Bremen by MBB-Erno as prime contractor, starts its first journey into space on board the Columbia space shuttle. The command and data managament subsystem CDMS was developed by MATRA. Read more >
First flight of the CN235
Developed jointly by CASA and IPTN, the CN235 has highly diverse applications, covering the spectrum from airline flights, patrol and anti-drug trafficking to cargo, VIP duties and special missions. Read more >
Development of Eurostar
A series of high-performance communications satellites suited to a full range of communications missions – including links with fixed ground stations, mobile services, broadcast and broadband Read more >
Launch of A320
With the groundbreaking Fly-by-wire technology, the A320 Family would go on to record spectacular sales success, becoming the best-selling jetliner aircraft family ever. Read more >
Maiden flight of the Bo108
The Bo108 took off with the most up-to-date technology, including a composite structure, new vibration absorbers, and ultra-modern avionics with screens. Read more >
Launch of the first Ariane 4
The first Ariane 4 flew in June 1988 from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, and was retired from service in February 2003, performing 113 successful launches and capturing 50% of the commercial satellite launch services marketplace – demonstrating that Europe could more than hold its own in the commercial launch field that was to become increasingly competitive. Read more >
Daimler-Benz take over MBB, forming Daimler Aerospace SA, or DASA
Jean Pierson was a French engineer and industrialist , having participated in the Concorde programme and the development of Airbus as one of its historical leaders. Pierson championed the multicultural spirit of Airbus which summed up the organisation’s essence from its beginnings to the present day: “The determination of the partners to keep the damaging demons of intra-European rivalry at bay was a key factor in the success of Airbus Industrie. It is in the interests of Europe that this determination should prevail. If there could be one lesson…to be learned from the Airbus Industrie experience, it would be that co-operation is the key to prosperity and that there simply is room no more for narrow nationalistic endeavours.”
1990s historic highlights
Arrival of the A340
The ultra long-range four engined A340-300, able to seat 295 in a three-class configuration and fly 7,150 nautical miles/13,200 kilometres, was rolled out in October, 1991. Read more >
Aerospatiale (France) and MBB (Germany) combine their helicopter activities to form Eurocopter on 1st January, 1992
Maiden flight of the medium to long-range A330
Carrying 335 passengers in two classes, the A330 marked another milestone with the first Rolls-Royce engine – the Trent 700 - on an Airbus aircraft. Read more >
First flight of the Eurofighter
The extremely capable, flexible and versatile swing-role front-line fighter aircraft flew for the first time. Every day these aircraft protect the skies in Europe, the Middle East and the Southern hemisphere. Read more >
Maiden flight of the EC135
The first helicopter in the Eurocopter range and successor to the BO108. The most important addition to the EC135 is its Fenestron® tail rotor. Read more >
Rollout of the A300-600ST Beluga
The Beluga was the successor to the Super Guppy transporter for Airbus components. Read more >
First flight of the EC120 Colibri
With this helicopter, Eurocopter extends its range to include 1.5 metric tonne machines. Read more >
Super jumbo A3XX
Airbus Industrie sets up Large Aircraft Division, to develop the super jumbo A3XX, later designated the A380. Read more >
First official flight of the NH90
The maiden flight took place at the Eurocopter plant in Marignane, France in the presence of military and governmental representatives from France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands (the nations participating in the NH90 Programme). Read more >
Successful lift off of the Ariane 5
As of early 2019, the heavy-lift vehicle had been launched more than 100 times from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. Its payload lift capability has evolved from the initial 6,900 kg. in geostationary transfer orbit to an enhanced performance of 10,000 kg., along with a capacity of 20 tonnes into low Earth orbit. Read more >
First flight of C295
Originally designed for the deployment of forces, the C295 can transport over nine tonnes of troops or cargo. Further developed from the CN235, it has a longer fuselage and more powerful engines. Read more >
Production investment contract signed for the Franco-German combat helicopter Tiger
The contract marked a decisive step towards production of Tiger, with an initial batch of 160 helicopters (80 for Germany and 80 for France) to be procured. Read more >
DASA, Aerospatiale Matra, and CASA merge to form EADS
Maiden flight of the EC145
The EC145 offers an increased maximum takeoff weight and payload capacity as well as a modern cockpit identical to that of the EC135. Read more >
Maiden flight of the EC130 B4
This new member of the Ecureuil/AStar family offers more cabin space, extensive visibility and a reduced sound level. Read more >
2000s historic highlights
"Day One" as the official start of operations for EADS
The merger of the Franco-British company Matra Marconi Space with the space activites of Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace leads to the foundation of Astrium
The new EC725 helicopter is presented to the French Air Force Chief of Staff
This new version will be able to carry a much higher military payload, and will also have an increased civil range of action compared to the MK2 version of the Cougar / Super Puma. Read more >
First flight tests of the A318, the smallest member of the A320 family
Captain Bernd Schaefer confirmed that the aircraft handled as anticipated on its maiden flight, which kicked off the A318 flight test campaign. Read more >
Mars Express heads for the Red Planet
Europe’s first mission to the Red Planet, Mars Express lifted off in June 2003. After arriving at Mars in December 2003, data from this 1,120-kg. planetary orbiter helped answer fundamental questions about the geology, atmosphere, surface environment, history of water and potential for life on the planet. Read more >
Launch of A400M programme
With the first flight performed in December 2009, the A400M developed for tactical and strategic missions – along with force-projection through aerial refuelling – Airbus set the bar high in terms of technical and programme complexity. Read more >
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Opening of American Eurocopter assembly plant in Columbus, Mississippi.
The Columbus site will mainly focus on the assembly and customisation of the helicopters sold by American Eurocopter to local and federal government organisations for military operations, homeland security and other parapublic missions. Read more >
EADS provides relief assistance and 2 million euro donation in response to tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia
Through the years Airbus has supported international aid organisations in regions affected by natural disasters. We bring our products and resources, from relief flights to satellite imagery and helicopter hours, to emergency responders to help alleviate some of the world's most pressing challenges. Read more >
A380, the world's largest and most modern passenger jet is unveiled to the public
Later that year it would complete its maiden flight. Read more >
Eurocopter Ecureuil AS350 piloted by Didier Delsalle lands on Mount Everest on May 14, 2005
This tremendous achievement breaks the world record for the highest altitude landing and takeoff ever, which sets an ultimate milestone in the history of aviation. Read more >
EADS and China agree on strategic partnership
Airbus strengthened its foothold in China, with an order of 150 A320 family aircraft, the largest order in Airbus history so far, and a new engineering centre to be set up. Read more >
Launch of Metop-A
Observation data provided by Metop enable more precise weather forecasting, better prediction of natural disasters, and enhanced measurements for issues such as climate change, the progressive melting of polar ice and the rise in sea levels. Read more >
U.S. Army selects the UH-72A Lakota
U.S. Army selects the UH-72A Lakota version of the EC145 rotorcraft as the military service’s Light Utility Helicopter. More than 400 have been supplied to the U.S. Army and Navy, all on on-time and on-cost – with production performed at a facility in Columbus, Mississippi. Read more >
First flight of the A330 MRTT
Based on the successful A330-200 airliner, the A330 MRTT is the benchmark for new-generation multi-role tanker/transport. Read more >
Columbus sets sail for ISS on the Space Shuttle Atlantis
The Columbus science laboratory was launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on February 7, 2008 and docked at the International Space Station (ISS). It is the largest single contribution to the ISS made by the European Space Agency (ESA). Read more >
Inauguration of A320 final assembly line in Tianjin, China
Airbus expanded its industrial network by creating a new A320 final assembly line in Tianjin, China – the company’s first outside of Europe. Read more >
ATV in service of the International Space Station
The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), a servicing spacecraft for the International Space Station with the delivery of propellant, water, air, payload and experiment equipment. In total, five ATVs were built and orbited by Ariane 5 heavy-lift launchers from French Guiana for docking with the International Space Station, spanning a period from March 2008 to July 2014. Read more >
Maiden flight of the EC175
A joint programme of Eurocopter and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the latest EC175 prototype is configured for oil and gas operations. Read more >
In 1998, Mr. Brégier became CEO of Matra BAe Dynamics. He was appointed CEO of MBDA, the leading European missile systems company that was created in 2001 by Aerospatiale Matra, British Aerospace and Finmeccanica. In 2003, Fabrice Brégier became President and CEO of the Eurocopter Group and was appointed Head of EADS’ Eurocopter Division in June 20
Mr. Brégier was appointed Airbus Chief Operating Officer (COO) in October 2006. As a Member of the EADS Executive Committee, he was commissioned by Louis Gallois to improve the overall operational performance of the Group. From 2012 – 2018, Fabrice Brégier served as President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
2010s historic highlights
The new generation EC145 T2 performs its first flight
The EC145 T2 was developed with major innovations such as the dual AFCS, reducing pilot’s workload, particularly in difficult weather or mission conditions. The AFCS is coupled with a satellite navigation system (WAAS/EGNOS), allowing the helicopter to perform high-precision landings in complete safety in any location. Another innovation is the tail boom featuring the Fenestron tail rotor. Read more >
First flight of the X3 demonstrator
The X3 is a high-speed hybrid helicopter developed to perform vertical takeoffs and landings and obtain cruising speeds of approximately 220 kts. Read more >
A record breaking year
Beginning with a milestone order: Virgin America’s acquisition of 60 A320s, Airbus hits above its 10,000th order mark. Also in January 2011, Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IndiGo for 180 A320s. And during PAS in June, AirAsia’s made a history-making booking for 200 A320neo aircraft, which represented the biggest order placed to date for Airbus’ best-selling A320 family of jetliners. Read more >
Clean Sky 2 initiative
Eurocopter signs up for leadership in a European compound rotorcraft demonstration project through the Clean Sky 2 initiative. Read more >
The A350 XWB takes flight
Airbus’ newest and most efficient jetliner – the A350 XWB – conducted its highly successful maiden flight from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. Read more >
Launch of Gaia
Gaia – an Airbus-designed and-built space surveyor for ESA – is to compile a 3D space catalogue of more than 1,000 million stars, or approximately roughly 1% of the stars in the Milky Way. Read more >
EADS renamed Airbus Group
EADS was renamed Airbus Group (which later in 2017 renamed to Airbus). Eurocopter becomes Airbus Helicopters. The rebranding marks a new era in the history of the company as it joins Airbus and Airbus Defence & Space within the new Airbus Group.
First flight of the A320neo
The highly-efficient aircraft with new engine option along with standard Sharklets, will deliver a 15% fuel burn reduction to carriers. Read more >
Cometary encounter
Launched in 2004, the Rosetta spacecraft spent 10 years on a voyage of more than six billion kilometres to reach and study the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. In November 2014 Rosetta deployed the lander Philae for a touchdown on the celestial object. Read more >
Inauguration of operations of the A320 FAL in Mobile, Alabama
The facility joins existing final assembly lines in Hamburg; Toulouse; and Tianjin, China, boosting the production of the best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. Read more >
Unveiling the H160
The H160 is unveiled on Airbus Helicopters’ Heli-Expo booth in Orlando, Florida. Its first flight took place in Marignane (France) on June 13, 2015. Read more >
Airbus launches business accelerator BizLab
Airbus formally launched its first global aerospace business accelerator Airbus BizLab – located in Toulouse, France, with a second site at Hamburg, Germany. Read more >
Launch of the LISA Pathfinder
This ESA technology demonstrator mission is one of the most ambitious scientific undertakings to date: proving key elements of Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Read more >
Airbus delivered its 10,000th aircraft, an A350-900 to Singapore Airlines
A year of key milestones, including service introductions of the A320neo (new engine option) jetliner; first deliveries of the latest A330 Family member tailored for regional routes; expansion of the A350 XWB operator base; start of final assembly for the A330neo; and its 10,000th overall delivery. Read more >
Galileo goes live
Galileo, the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) went live in 2016. From the beginning of Galileo through 2018, Airbus was prime contractor for the satellite navigation system’s ground control segment, which provides the day-to-day control for all the Galileo satellites in orbit. Read more >
Maiden flight of the A330neo
Powered by latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330neo will expand operators’ market opportunities with a range capability increase of approximately 400 nautical miles while carrying more payload. Read more >
Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
The landmark industrial agreement between Airbus and Dassault Aviation envisions a “system of systems” – composed of next-generation fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, future cruise missiles and drones, and military services. Read more >
The autonomous demonstrator VSR700
Airbus Helicopters started autonomous flight trials of a VSR700 Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) demonstrator, without safety pilot on December 20, 2018. Read more >
The newest members of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft family
A milestone partnership between Airbus and Canada’s Bombardier took effect in July with Airbus acquiring a majority stake in the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP). This entity manufactures and sells Bombardier’s single-aisle C Series jets: the CS100 and CS300, which are renamed the A220-100 and A220-300 as new members of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft family. Read more >
The first BelugaXL
Airbus’ next-generation super airlifter – performed its maiden flight on 19 July in Toulouse. Read more >
Launch of the BepiColombo
Launched on an Ariane 5 in October 2018, the BepiColombo, a joint mission of ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to research the solar system’s smallest and least-explored terrestrial planet – Mercury. Read more >
Growth of the A220
As of early 2019, more than 530 orders were placed for A220 aircraft. Airbus is to open a new assembly line for the aircraft at its U.S. manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, which will build jetliners for U.S. customers. Read more >
Delivery of the 12,000th Airbus jetliner
Airbus delivered the 12,000th commercial aircraft in the company’s 50-year history – an A220-100 assembled in Mirabel, Canada for U.S.-based Delta Air Lines. This milestone handover highlighted Airbus’ growth since its first-ever jetliner delivery in 1974, and spotlighted the A220 Family – the smallest member of Airbus’ in-production product line. Read more >
Dr. Thomas (“Tom”) Enders served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airbus SE, from June 2012 to April 2019, after having been CEO of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft Division since 2007. Before that he served as Co-CEO of EADS between 2005 and 2007. He was Head of the Group’s Defence Division from 2000 to 2005. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of Airbus S.E. since its creation in 2000.
Prior to joining the aerospace industry in 1991, Enders worked, inter alia, as a Member of the “Planungsstab” of the German Ministry of Defence and in various foreign policy think tanks. He studied economics, political science and history at the University of Bonn and at the University of California in Los Angeles.
