Airbus, established in 1970, is a global leader in the aerospace industry, operating in the commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense, and space sectors. In this article, we discuss the top AIRBUS Competitors and Alternatives.
The company designs, manufactures, and sells various commercial aircraft, including the iconic A320, A350, and A380 models. Airbus is widely recognized for its innovative approach to aircraft design, incorporating advanced technologies and materials to create lighter, more fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly planes.
Airbus, backed by a substantial customer base of major airlines and leasing companies worldwide, is prominent in single-aisle and wide-body aircraft markets. Competing closely with its primary challenger, Boeing, Airbus pledges reliable, comfortable, and energy-efficient airplanes. With manufacturing facilities in Europe, China, and the United States, Airbus ensures efficient production and prompt delivery. Airbus asserts its strong position in the fiercely competitive aircraft manufacturing industry through constant innovation, customer focus, and sustainability.
- Product Type: Commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense, and space
- Industry: Aerospace
- Founded Date: December 18, 1970
- Founders: Aérospatiale and Deutsche Aerospace AG (later DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG)
- Headquarters: Leiden, Netherlands
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Guillaume Faury
Table of Contents
The top AIRBUS competitors are
1. Boeing
- Product Type: Aerospace and Defense
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: July 15, 1916
- Founders: William Boeing
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: David L. Calhoun
Boeing is an American multinational aerospace company and one of Airbus’s largest and most well-known competitors. Boeing primarily designs, manufactures, and sells commercial airplanes, defense products, and aerospace systems worldwide. Notable aircraft from Boeing include the 737, 747, 777, and 787, popular among various airlines.
2. COMAC
- Product Type: Commercial aircraft
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: May 11, 2008
- Founders: State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council
- Headquarters: Shanghai, China
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: He Dongfeng
COMAC, or Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, is a Chinese state-owned aerospace manufacturer that develops and produces commercial aircraft. As a growing competitor of Airbus, COMAC has developed aircraft like the C919 single-aisle jet and the ARJ21 regional jet to compete in domestic and global markets.
3. Bombardier
- Product Type: Business jets, commercial aircraft, trains
- Industry: Aerospace and Transportation
- Founded Date: January 29, 1942
- Founders: Joseph-Armand Bombardier
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Éric Martel
Bombardier is a Canadian multinational manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, and rail transportation equipment. Although the company recently sold its commercial aircraft division to Airbus and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Bombardier remains a player in the aerospace market with their well-regarded business jet products, which include the Global, Challenger, and Learjet lines.
4. Embraer
- Product Type: Commercial, military, executive jets
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: August 19, 1969
- Founders: Ozires Silva
- Headquarters: São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Francisco Gomes Neto
Embraer is a Brazilian aerospace company primarily designing and manufacturing regional and executive aircraft. As one of Airbus’ key competitors, Embraer is known for its successful E-Jet series of regional jets and the Phenom, Legacy, and Praetor lines of business jets.
5. United Aircraft Corporation
- Product Type: Aerospace and Defense
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: February 20, 2006
- Founders: Russian Government
- Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Yuri Slyusar
United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is a Russian aerospace and defense conglomerate that designs and manufactures various aircraft types. Competing with Airbus, UAC has developed passenger and cargo planes such as the Irkut MC-21, the Sukhoi Superjet 100, and the Tupolev Tu-204.
6. Lockheed Martin
- Product Type: Aerospace and Defense
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: March 15, 1995
- Founders: Merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta
- Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: James Taiclet
Lockheed Martin is an American aerospace and defense company that enters various markets, including commercial aviation, military aircraft, and space systems. Though not directly competing with Airbus in retail aviation, Lockheed Martin has valuable expertise with military planes like the F-35 Lightning II and the C-130 Hercules.
7. BAE Systems
- Product Type: Aerospace and Defense
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: November 30, 1999
- Founders: Merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Charles Woodburn
BAE Systems is a British multinational defense and aerospace company that designs and manufactures military aircraft, cyber intelligence, and electronic systems. While their market does not directly compete with Airbus in commercial aviation, BAE Systems holds significant expertise in producing combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Hawk trainer.
8. Northrop Grumman
- Product Type: Aerospace and Defense
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: 1994
- Founders: Merger of Northrop Corporation and Grumman Corporation
- Headquarters: Falls Church, Virginia, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Kathy Warden
Northrop Grumman is an American global aerospace and defense technology company focusing on military aircraft, unmanned systems, and advanced technologies in the aviation industry. Northrop Grumman’s market does not directly intersect with Airbus in commercial aircraft. Still, their expertise in areas like the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye makes them a unique competitor.
9. Dassault Aviation
- Product Type: Business jets, military aircraft
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: 1929
- Founders: Marcel Bloch
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Éric Trappier
Dassault Aviation is a French aerospace company that manufactures military aircraft and business jets. Their Falcon business jet line has gained international recognition and serves as competition for some of Airbus’ corporate jet products. Dassault Aviation plays a significant role in the military aircraft sector with their Rafale fighter jet and Mirage series.
10. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries/Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
- Product Type: Commercial aircraft
- Industry: Aerospace and Defense
- Founded Date: 1934
- Founders: Mitsubishi Group
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Seiji Izumisawa
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is a Japanese multinational engineering and electronics company, including Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, which develops and manufactures commercial aircraft. Competing with Airbus, Mitsubishi Aircraft created the SpaceJet series – a regional aircraft line designed for efficiency and passenger comfort.
11. Sukhoi Company
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1939
- Founders: Pavel Sukhoi
- Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Ravil Khakimov
Sukhoi Company is a Russian aircraft manufacturer focusing primarily on designing and producing military aircraft. While not a direct competitor to Airbus in commercial aviation, Sukhoi has experience with the Sukhoi Superjet 100, a regional jet developed in collaboration with other entities under the United Aircraft Corporation.
12. Irkut Corporation
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 2002
- Founders: Government of Russia
- Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Oleg Demchenko
Irkut Corporation is a Russian aircraft manufacturer specializing in designing and producing military and civil aircraft. Though not as prominent as Airbus, Irkut Corporation has announced it is competing in the commercial aviation sector with its development of the Irkut MC-21, a single-aisle passenger aircraft aiming to enter the market for short and medium-haul flights.
13. Rolls-Royce
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1904
- Founders: Charles Rolls and Henry Royce
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Warren East
Rolls-Royce is a British engineering company well-known for its production and service of aircraft engines. While not a direct competitor to Airbus in the airplane manufacturing market, Rolls-Royce is a significant supplier of aircraft engines for various Airbus aircraft models, such as the A330 and A350.
14. General Electric
- Product Type: Conglomerate
- Industry: Various
- Founded Date: 1892
- Founders: Thomas Edison, Charles Coffin, Elihu Thomson, Edwin J. Houston
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: H. Lawrence Culp Jr.
Rolls-Royce is a British engineering company well-known for its production of aircraft engines. While not a direct competitor to Airbus in the airplane manufacturing market, Rolls-Royce is a significant supplier of aircraft engines for various Airbus aircraft models, such as the A330 and A350.
15. Pratt & Whitney Canada
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1928
- Founders: Frederick Banting, Wilbur R. Franks, and others
- Headquarters: Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Maria Della Posta
Pratt & Whitney Canada is a Canadian aerospace company specializing in the production of aircraft engines. Similar companies to Rolls-Royce and General Electric, Pratt & Whitney Canada does not manufacture complete aircraft. Still, it provides engines for various aircraft types, ranging from regional airliners to business jets.
16. Leonardo
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1948
- Founders: Government of Italy
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Alessandro Profumo
Leonardo is an Italian aerospace and defense company primarily focusing on the development of military aircraft, helicopters, and defense solutions. Although not competing with Airbus in the commercial aircraft segment, Leonardo is a critical player in the global market with products like the Aermacchi M-345 and its AW line of helicopters.
17. Gulfstream Aerospace
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1958
- Founders: Allen E. Paulson
- Headquarters: Savannah, Georgia, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Mark Burns
Gulfstream Aerospace is an American company that designs, manufactures, and markets luxurious business jet aircraft. As a competitor in the corporate jet industry, Gulfstream maintains a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and comfort with its G-series aircraft, which can include models like the popular G650.
18. Textron
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Conglomerate
- Founded Date: 1923
- Founders: Royal Little
- Headquarters: Providence, Rhode Island, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Scott C. Donnelly
Textron is an American global aerospace and defense company that features Textron Aviation, a division responsible for designing and manufacturing business jets, turboprops, and piston engine aircraft. Competing with Airbus in the general and business aviation sectors, Textron’s Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker-branded aircraft offer a variety of models for different customer needs.
19. Saab
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1937
- Founders: Carl Gustaf von Rosen
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Micael Johansson
Saab is a Swedish aerospace and defense company that primarily specializes in military aircraft and defense systems. While not entering the commercial aviation market as a direct competitor to Airbus, Saab’s experience with its Gripen fighter jet demonstrates a strong foundation in advanced aviation technologies and design.
20. Kawasaki Heavy Industries
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Conglomerate
- Founded Date: 1896
- Founders: Shozo Kawasaki
- Headquarters: Kobe, Japan
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Yasuhiko Hashimoto
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a Japanese multinational company with an aerospace division. While not directly competing with Airbus, Kawasaki has experience in the aviation industry through projects like the P-1 maritime patrol aircraft and its collaboration with the Mitsubishi SpaceJet, a regional jet designed to offer efficiency and comfort to passengers.
21. China Aerospace Science and Technology
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1999
- Founders: Chinese government
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Lei Fanpei
China Aerospace Science and Technology (CASC) is a Chinese state-owned company that plays a significant role in the country’s space program. Although not directly competing with Airbus regarding passenger planes, CASC contributes significantly to the global aerospace industry with its expertise in creating launch vehicles, satellites, and related technologies.
22. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1940
- Founders: Walchand Hirachand
- Headquarters: Bangalore, India
- Area Served: India
- Current CEO: R. Madhavan
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company. While HAL primarily focuses on defense and military aircraft, it also has experience in producing civil aircraft. With creations like the HAL Dhruv helicopter and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, HAL holds a unique position in the South Asian aircraft manufacturing industry.
23. Israel Aerospace Industries
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1953
- Founders: Israeli government
- Headquarters: Lod, Israel
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Boaz Levy
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is an Israeli company that predominantly focuses on defense and military technology. Although IAI is not a direct competitor of Airbus in commercial aircraft production, they have a vast range of technologies and services, including drones, satellites, and weaponry, that mark them as a significant player in the broader aerospace industry.
24. Korea Aerospace Industries
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1999
- Founders: Korean government
- Headquarters: Sacheon, South Korea
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Kim Jo-won
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is South Korea’s leading aerospace manufacturer, known for its development of military, civil, and transport aircraft. Although not directly competing with Airbus in all realms, KAI’s T-50 Golden Eagle jet trainer and their Surion helicopter show their proficiency in advanced aircraft design.
25. Turkish Aerospace Industries
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1973
- Founders: Turkish government
- Headquarters: Ankara, Turkey
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Temel Kotil
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is a Turkish aerospace and defense company that designs and manufactures a variety of aircraft types. Though not a direct competitor with Airbus in commercial airliners, TAI produces a range of products, including uncrewed aerial vehicles and military aircraft, that showcase significant design and manufacturing prowess.
26. ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale)
- Product Type: Regional aircraft
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 1981
- Founders: Aérospatiale and Aeritalia
- Headquarters: Toulouse, France
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Stefano Bortoli
ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale) is a Franco-Italian manufacturer known for producing turboprop aircraft. ATR, partly owned by Airbus, holds a strong position in the global market for regional aircraft with its ATR 42 and ATR 72 models.
27. Safran
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Founded Date: 2005
- Founders: Merger of Snecma and Sagem
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Olivier Andriès
Safran is a French company that designs and produces engines, landing gear, and other aviation components. While Safran doesn’t produce entire aircraft, it is a crucial supplier to firms like Airbus, providing engines and aircraft systems that are essential to airplane function and safety.
28. Honeywell Aerospace
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Conglomerate
- Founded Date: 1906
- Founders: Mark C. Honeywell
- Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Darius Adamczyk
Honeywell Aerospace, a division of the American company Honeywell International, concentrates on creating technologies for aircraft. While it doesn’t produce commercial airplanes like Airbus, Honeywell Aerospace holds a significant place in the aviation market as a supplier of avionics, engines, and other critical components for various aircraft types.
29. Collins Aerospace
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Conglomerate
- Founded Date: 2018
- Founders: Merger of UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins
- Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Stephen Timm
Collins Aerospace is an American company that deals primarily with aerospace manufacturing. While not a producer of complete aircraft like Airbus, Collins Aerospace is a noteworthy provider of avionics, cabin interiors, and related systems that enhance the functionality and safety of aircraft.
30. Liebherr Aerospace
- Product Type: Aerospace and defense
- Industry: Conglomerate
- Founded Date: 1949
- Founders: Hans Liebherr
- Headquarters: Toulouse, France
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Jan Liebherr
Liebherr Aerospace, a division of the multinational Liebherr Group, specializes in technology and services related to aviation. While not directly manufacturing aircraft, Liebherr Aerospace supplies pivotal components, including air management, flight controls, and gears for various types and manufacturers of aircraft, thereby contributing to the global aerospace industry.
These were all the competitors of AIRBUS. If you know any other competitors, please write in the comments below.
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