(Bloomberg, New York, 18 February 2021) Airbus SE generated 4.9 billion euros ($5.9 billion) in cash during the fourth quarter, while issuing cautious guidance on the pace of its recovery from aviation’s worst-ever crisis. Jet handovers are forecast to stay at 2020’s depressed levels this year, even as Airbus plans to ramp up production in the second half. In the meantime, airlines’ shaky finances will ripple back to Airbus. The planemaker’s cash flows will feel the impact from lower pre-delivery payments from customers, as well as a greater requirement to help finance plane purchases. The company may be required to finance 1 billion euros or more for its customers, though it hopes export credit programs will help to fill the gap.
