A European success story
Ahead of this weekend's European Parliament elections, Airbus is spreading the message that a strong and confident European Union is vital to Europe’s economic future amid populist nationalism, fragile growth and simmering trade tensions. It is certainly the lesson of Airbus’s past and present as the European aerospace manufacturer celebrates its 50th anniversary, also this month.
In 1969, the USA commanded more than 80% of the market for commercial aircraft. Against this backdrop, on 29 May 1969, ministers from Germany and France agreed on a new approach: a partnership between European nations, later joined by Spain and the UK, to develop the first Airbus aircraft, the twin-aisle A300.
Today, with 130,000 highly-skilled people globally, Airbus produces half of the world’s large commercial aircraft. (ah)