Eurocopter sees civil orders fall

According to the group, a recovery of its commercial markets is unlikely to occur in 2010.

However, governmental orders over-compensated for the drop in commercial sales with a net total of 344 new aircraft, including 81 Super Puma/Cougar/EC225/EC725 family helicopters sold, amounting to €5.8bn (£5.04bn).

More than half of the company’s 2009 turnover was related to serial helicopters, 35 per cent derived out of support and services and 10 per cent came from development and other activities.

The company’s total order backlog at the end of 2009 amounted to 1,300 helicopters or the equivalent of €15.1bn, an increase of more than €1bn compared with the end of 2008.

Eurocopter chief executive Lutz Bertling said: ‘Not all geographic areas and market segments are equally affected by the crisis. The downturn in the corporate, tourism and EMS markets, which typically acquire smaller helicopters, has been countered by a stable oil and gas market due to new exploration activities, and by a strong military market.