The EADS group announced it has been rebranded as “Airbus Group”, combing all activities under a single brand and the group also renamed two of its three divisions.

• Airbus, focusing on commercial aircraft activities;
• Airbus Defence and Space, combing the Group’s defense and space activities from Cassidian, Astrium, and Airbus Military;
• Airbus Helicopters, comprising all commercial and military helicopter activities.

Tom Enders, chief executive officer of Airbus Group, said: “For many years, Airbus has been a globally renowned synonym for technology breakthrough as well as aeronautic passion and pride.” 

“Joining forces under the strong Airbus brand gives all our operations and employees the thrust and lift to capture global markets”

“We are a pioneer for European industrial integration. It is a logical step and high time that our multinational culture is also mirrored in our legal structure.” 

The aerospace and defense group, will change the legal form of the holding entity by 2015, to be renamed, Airbus Group N.V. and convert it into a European Company (Societas Europaea), Airbus Group SE will remain incorporated in the Netherlands.

Societas Europaea is a public limited-liability company regulated under EU law, introduction in 2004, the European Company statute has been adopted by more than 1800 businesses that run their activities in more than one EU country.

The legal name change into Airbus Group N.V. and the conversion of the legal form into SE are subject to approval of the annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders: while adoption of the new name is expected at the AGM in May 2014, the legal conversion is targeted for approval in May 2015.