2022, a successful and impactful year in spite of a challenging environment

The aviation sector was subject to a series of unanticipated events that made 2022 even more turbulent than originally projected. Despite the challenging environment, the Latin America team accomplished key milestones and surpassed expectations.

Our Helicopters colleagues had a great year, securing 65 helicopter orders in the region, including 27 H125s for the Brazilian Armed Forces to expand the training capacity of their Navy and Air Force.

Our Defence and Space business continued to demonstrate its ability to support vital government operations to protect people and resources, as recently seen with the use of C295s during the Chilean wildfires.

The Commercial Aircraft team booked 55 incremental orders --52 single-aisles and three widebodies-- that translated into almost 60% market share. On the Services side, the order intake in the region generated close to $400 million, setting a record year.

Despite the challenges experienced by the global supply chain, we managed to deliver 51 new aircraft, introduced new aircraft types in the region -- such as A330P2F -- and received votes of confidence from two new operators, which selected Airbus aircraft as part of their fleet strategies. Additionally, we marveled at the Beluga’s Latin America debut as it delivered the world’s first ACH160 to a Brazilian customer, and closed the year with Azul Linhas Aereas bringing the A350 back to the region.

Airbus kicked off a year of impressive events with a 16-day, six-city demonstration tour of a Swiss Air A220 through the region’s tropics, mountains and largest metropolis. We reinforced our commitment to the region’s aerospace industry with our return to FIDAE as the show’s biggest exhibitor after a four-year hiatus due to COVID. And we proudly showcased the five-bladed H145 over a 10-day Colombian tour. growing

Throughout our commercial success in 2022, we also prioritized making a positive impact and creating social value in the local communities where we operate. Airbus launched  four Community Impact partnerships with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) based in Latin America, that allowed Airbus employees to volunteer their time and fundraise for Fundación Avina’s reforestation initiatives and TECHO’s emergency housing projects in Santiago, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. The teams also worked with Chilean-based Tremendas and United Way Colombia on a variety of STEM-curriculum youth development activities.