Eurocopter expects revenue increase to continue this year

Eurocopter last year secured orders for 401 new civil/parapublic and military helicopters, up from 322 in 2004. Valued at E3.52 billion ($4.22 billion), the orders represent a year-on-year hike of 10 percent. Civil and parapublic helicopters accounted for 46 percent of the value.

Orders included 193 helicopters in the Ecureuil/Fennec/EC 130 series, 87 EC 135s, 44 EC 120 Colibris, 25 Dauphin/Panther/ EC 155s and 20 EC 145s. While 71 percent of orders were for the export market, the remainder were for France, Germany and Spain, all considered Eurocopter’s domestic market.

Eurocopter deliveries last year included 153 Ecureuil/Fennec/EC 130s, 76 EC 135s, 30 EC 120 Colibris, 20 Dauphin/Panther/EC 155s and 17 EC 145s. Revenue reached E3.21 billion ($3.85 billion), an increase of 15 percent over 2004. Civil and parapublic machines accounted for 49 percent of income and exports represented 57 percent. Eurocopter president Fabrice Brégier expects revenue to increase by “at least 10 percent” this year.