Airbus profits jump 85% in the first half of 2025

The European aerospace giant continues its strong momentum. In its half-year results presentation this Wednesday, July 30, Airbus posted an 85% increase in net profit for the first half of 2025, reaching €1.5 billion. Airbus recorded revenues of €29.6 billion, an increase of 3%, and confirmed its targets for 2025.

These good results are driven by the "progress in the transformation" of the group's defense and space branch, said Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, in a press release. Revenue from this division increased by 17%, reaching a total of €5.8 billion.

A year ago, Airbus's half-year net profit had fallen by 46% due to significant costs related to its space activities. The drop in demand for telecommunications satellites even led Airbus to announce in October the elimination of 2,500 jobs in this sector , a figure revised downwards in December to 2,043 positions.

Commercial aviation activities, meanwhile, are slightly down, with revenue down 2% to €20.8 billion. The European group delivered 306 commercial aircraft between January and June 2025, compared to 323 during the same period last year. "We are producing aircraft according to our plans, but deliveries are delayed due to ongoing engine supply issues on the A320 program," explained the Airbus boss. Despite these slightly lower figures, net orders for commercial aircraft reached 402 aircraft, 30% more than in the first half of 2024.

As for tariffs, they're unlikely to be a major spoilsport. The agreement between the United States and the European Union, announced Sunday by US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, confirmed that the aeronautics sector was exempt from customs duties on its exports to the United States. The Airbus CEO welcomed the decision: "Regarding tariffs, the recent political agreement between the EU and the United States to return to a tariff-free approach for civil aircraft is a positive development for our sector. Our forecasts for 2025, which continue to exclude the impact of tariffs, remain unchanged."