Our predecessors | Our history

The origins

Today, over 90% of Europe's original aviation and aerospace companies are part of Airbus. Find out how the these companies coming together led to the creation of Airbus.

The early days

The 1910s saw the emergence of a rapid growing aviation industry in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. With the outbreak of the First World War aviation would be recognized for its strategic value, leading to significant military innovations and rapid technological progress.

As the war ended, the 1920s paved the way for commercial aviation. Airlines were founded and a second generation of manufacturers would appear in Europe over the course of the decade. The public's appetite for air travel grew, and aircraft designs evolved fostering a spirit of competition and innovation, encouraging advancements in safety, range and speed.

The great technology race

The 1930s brought about further technological leaps, including the widespread use of all-metal monoplane designs with retractable landing gears. This era also saw the rise of national airlines, with governments investing heavily in their fleets to enhance connectivity and bolster national pride. During the Second World War, aviation technology underwent unprecedented advancements. The war accelerated the development of faster, more powerful aircraft.

Major innovations such as swept wings, turbojet engines, radar, pressurisation and the ejection seat were all ushered in during the Second World War. These innovations not only improved military aviation but also laid the groundwork for the post-war development of commercial aviation. The shift towards a peacetime economy would influence how the European aviation industry would be reshaped in the post-war period, requiring greater cooperation and collaboration between companies and nations.

The jet age

The late 1940s and 1950s marked a turning point in aviation history with the dawn of the jet age. In 1952 the introduction of the de Havilland Comet heralded a new era of jet travel, significantly reducing flight times. By the late 1950s, airlines were expanding their fleets with jets, making air travel accessible to the masses. In 1955, Sud Aviation’s SE.210 Caravelle first took to the skies. The 1960s saw even more dramatic changes, including the development of supersonic transport.

The Concorde programme, a joint project between the UK and France, aimed to revolutionize air travel with speeds exceeding Mach 2. This ambitious project captured the public's imagination, symbolizing technological prowess and luxury. The Caravelle and Concorde would both be important stepping stones on the path to the Airbus A300.

A star is born

By 1970, Europe had firmly re-established itself as a leader in aviation, combining military advancements with a burgeoning commercial industry. The continent's rich aviation legacy—marked by daring pioneers, wartime innovations, and a commitment to passenger transport—would coalesce around the Airbus A300 programme.

The A300 was an unprecedented collaboration between the industry leaders in France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, which would go on to set the stage for a company that would grow into a global industry leader.

The emergence of a global company

The spirit of innovation that began in the early 20th century thrived and continues to live on in the 21st century. From its European roots Airbus is now a Global company that is leading the industry's transformation towards sustainable aerospace. The story continues...

Aircraft profiles

Some of the most iconic aircraft of the past have been designed and built by Airbus and its predecessor companies. From the first Airbus, the A300 B1, to the 1909 Blériot XI, take a beautifully illustrated tour of some of the legendary aircraft, helicopters, launchers and satellites that have marked the history of aerospace.