The financing package, described as the EIB’s largest-ever corporate loan, is meant to back Airbus investments through 2030 in aviation, defence, security and technology.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) committed €3 billion ($3.42 billion) to Airbus, with the planemaker signing an initial €1 billion loan as part of the broader package. The financing is aimed at supporting Airbus’ long-term research and development plans and strengthening Europe’s industrial base amid competition from the United States and China. The EIB said the package would help fund Airbus investments through to 2030 across commercial aviation, security, defence and technology, and described it as the largest-ever corporate loan it has authorised. The move comes as Europe steps up efforts to bolster strategic technology and industrial capacity, following a planned tie-up of the satellite activities of Airbus, Thales and Leonardo intended to create a European rival to Starlink.