"Orders for civil helicopters are expected to remain low," the EADS subsidiary said in a 2009 review. "I think the market will start to recover in the second half of 2010 or early 2011," Eurocopter Chief Executive Lutz Bertling told a news conference. Total net orders for new helicopters more than halved in volume terms to 344 units in 2009 from 715 the year before, mainly due to the civil business, which also saw hefty deferrals.
Bertling predicted 300-400 orders in 2010, adding the recovery would be delayed by the fact that most second-hand helicopters that have flooded onto the market during the economic downturn are recent models built in 2007 to 2009. Eurocopter revenues rose to 4.6 billion euros from 4.5 billion euros in 2008.
Eurocopter declined to comment on its operating figures ahead of parent EADS results, due in March, but Bertling said he was "more than satisfied" with the performance. Bertling forecast stable revenues in 2010, saying any increase would most likely be restricted to inflation.
The company delivered 558 helicopters in 2009, down by 30 from the year before. Eurocopter makes 52 percent of its revenue from civil activities with the rest from defence. Its Tiger helicopter was deployed by France in Afghanistan last year. Brazil, France and Iraq ordered Eurocopter military helicopters last year.