Marignane, 22 January 2002
Order Book
2001 was an excellent year for the Eurocopter Group, who chalked up 375 new aircraft orders, representing 43% of the market based on the number of new civil and military helicopters, and thus confirmed its position as the world's No. 1 helicopter manufacturer.
The orders were broken down as follows: 81 EC 120 B Colibri, 103 single-engine Ecureuil/Fennec, 27 EC 130 B4, 2 BO 105, 17 twin-engine Ecureuil/Fennec, 38 EC 135, 2 BK 117, 8 EC 145, 10 Dauphin/Panther, 13 EC 155 B/B1, 26 Super Puma/EC 225 - Cougar/EC 725, and 48 NH 90.
The total order book, including new and previously owned aircraft (50 helicopters sold by Eurocopter and its subsidiaries), research and development, services provided to customers, and other various activities increased to 2,825 million euros. The breakdown of these orders by value is 45% for the civil and parapublic sector and 55% for the military sector.
The consolidated order book for series-production helicopters represents 1760 million euros.
The primary contracts signed in 2001 in the military sector were as follows: forty-eight NH 90 (Portugal, Sweden, Finland), eight Cougars (Brazil), four Super Pumas (Greece), two Super Pumas and fifteen EC 120 B Colibris (Indonesia), 6 Fennecs (Malaysia), and in the civil sector: ten EC 130 B4 for Blue Hawaiian (United States), ten EC 130 B4 for Rocky Mountains (United States), two EC 225 and one AS 332 L2 Super Puma for CHC (Canada), three EC 155B and one EC 135 for COHC (China), two EC 155 B for SFC (Vietnam), three EC 155 B for SHS (Sweden), and four EC 145 for REGA (Switzerland).
Speaking about the results, Eurocopter President Jean-François Bigay said that he was particularly satisfied with the orders, which reflect once again "the excellent range of products offered by Eurocopter. The Super Puma/Cougar helicopters deserve special praise: 26 were ordered, proving how well they complement the NH 90."
Thanks to the first Tiger export contract signed with Australia and the NH 90 contract for Norway, which will take effect in 2002, Eurocopter is already building a strong order book for the coming year.
In 2001, the consolidated turnover of Eurocopter reached 2.243 billion euros, an increase of approximately 10% over the previous year. This figure comprises primarily customer support services, Research and Development, and the delivery of 335 helicopters. 57% of turnover comes from the civil and parapublic sector and 43% from the military sector. Exports (outside of France and Germany) totaled 65%.
In terms of market shares, Eurocopter expanded its positions compared with 2000.
The upswing observed over the last three fiscal years was confirmed in 2001, as approximately 495 helicopters were delivered, versus 477 the previous year - despite uncertainty in the United States (the September 11 effect).
Eurocopter accomplished the remarkable task of delivering 280 helicopters, representing 57% of the market. This was a sharp increase over the previous year (51% of the market, 241 helicopters delivered out of the worldwide total of 474 units). Thanks to its wide range of modernized products, Eurocopter remains in the No. 1 spot, and is now well ahead of Bell.
This impressive number of deliveries is primarily due to the success of the EC 120 B Colibri, with more than 80 deliveries, and also thanks to the AS 350 and EC 135 helicopter families.
315 aircraft were ordered worldwide in the military sector, and 75% of the helicopters were from the attack and heavy categories.
The 2001 military market confirmed the fleet renewals which began in 1999 and the return to large-scale military programs (Nordic Standard Helicopter Program, Australia, United States, Canada, etc.). The strengthening of Eurocopter's position in these markets, with 25% of the order book, was also confirmed, due above all to the Tiger and NH 90 export contracts and to the success of the Cougar.
The impact of the tragic events of September 11th has proved to be limited for Eurocopter. In the civil market, the following months showed a positive impact on the parapublic operators and a negative impact on the aerial work and tourist sectors. By mid-2002, these activities are expected to return to normal, with a slight market increase projected.
There was no short-term effect on the military market. Over the long-term, the markets are sure to be solidified.
The economic crisis that threatens to strike the aeronautics industry between 2002 and 2004 should thus have no impact on Eurocopter, who foresees increased sales in the military and parapublic markets thanks to the competitiveness of its new products.
Portugal enters the NH 90 program and becomes a member of NAHEMO.
The NH 90 experiences its first export success when it is chosen by the Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, and Sweden).
The Tiger is chosen by Australia, who becomes the first export customer.
The new Cougar EC 725 is officially presented in combat SAR livery (RESCO).
The commercial launching of the EC 130 B4 takes place at HeliExpo in Anaheim (USA), and successfully penetrates the market with 27 aircraft sold.
The commercial launching of the EC 145 takes place at the Paris Air Show.
The EC 135 fleet of the company HELICAP logs its 15,000th flight hour.
Eurocopter delivers the 200th EC 120 B Colibri to the Swedish company Kallax Flyg AB and the 3000th helicopter from the Ecureuil family, an EC 130 B4, to the American company Blue Hawaiian.
The EC 155 B makes its entrance in the offshore sector with the Nigerian company Shell Petroleum Company Ltd.
The Government Flying Service of Hong Kong receives three AS 332 L2 Super Pumas for its SAR missions.
A test campaign is conducted in the Unites States with an EC 155 B in the "All-Weather Helicopter" program.
Eurocopter, ONERA (France), and DLR (Germany) join together to create "synergy" in their research capacities and major programs.
Eurocopter obtains R&D contracts from the European Community for "rotor," "piloting," and "tilt" sub-assemblies for convertible aircraft (tilt rotor).
Eurocopter sets up autonomous "customer support" structures in three geographic areas (Europe, North America, Southeast Asia).
The Netherlands Air Force chooses the new company HELISIM to train its Cougar pilots.
The photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand acquires an EC 120 B Colibri for his future photo shoots.
When Eurocopter created its Works Council in 1992, it was one of the first in Europe. The Council is continuing its activities in the new structure set up by EADS.
Eurocopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), created by the merger of Dasa, Aerospatiale Matra, and the Spanish group CASA in July 2000. EADS is one of the three leading aeronautical manufacturers in the world.
