The manufacturer of the ill-fated Super Puma reported a 20% drop in third quarter earnings although sales of helicopters rose.
Airbus said it received 211 net orders for helicopters in the first three quarters of the year, compared to 181 in the same period the year before.
The French aerospace group said it had done deals on 47 H145s and 42 H135s helicopter variants. It also highlighted the sale of 30 H225 “Caracal” variants – a specially designed military version of Super Puma 225 – to Kuwait.
Earlier this month Belgian operator NHV launched its heliport in Aberdeen where it is deploying Airbus-made H175s – a “super medium” chopper. NHV was the first Airbus customer of the 175 when it ordered 16 of them for use in the oil and gas industry including the North Sea.
The firm added that its helicopter operating revenues (earnings before interest, taxes as well as exceptional one-off costs) fell 17% to EUR200million (£178.5million) in the nine month period. It said the results in the division had been “burdened” by an “unfavourable mix” of a higher proportion of smaller, light helicopters and lower commercial flight hours in services. It added that results were also affected by the H225 accident in Norway “and some campaign costs”.
But it also said that underlying profit at its helicopters business “continues to be supported by ongoing transformation measures and efforts to adapt to market challenges”.
Super Puma 225s have been grounded in the UK after a fatal crash killed 13 people in Norway in April.
The firm maintained its full-year outlook despite profits across its helicopter, aircraft and defence units having sputtered, with earnings before interest, tax and one-off charges dropping 21% to EUR731million (£654million) in the three months to September 30.
On a nine-month basis, that figure slumped 14% to EUR2.4 billion (£2.1billion).
It comes as the aerospace group embarks on a massive restructuring programme in a bit to cut costs.
Last month, Airbus announced it would merging its corporate headquarters and commercial aircraft division as part of the efficiency drive, from January 1.
Chief executive Tom Enders said: “As expected the nine-month performance reflects the heavily back-loaded aircraft delivery schedule, ongoing production ramp-up and transition to new versions of our A320 and A330 aircraft.”
Mr Enders added that the company would “remain totally focused on deliveries“ in the months ahead to hit earnings and cash targets.
The company has a backlog of more than 6,700 aircraft, reflecting a “rather healthy” commercial environment, he said.
Mr Enders said: “Further integration of the group, as recently decided, will simplify the company’s governance and improve competitiveness.”
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