Europe's biggest aerospace firm EADS has reported a net profit of €553m for last year, after a loss of €763m in 2009.
The company was cautious in predicting a stable result for the current year, saying it expected further improvement in 2012. But it also warned that recent turmoil across North Africa and the Middle East could be a potential threat.
'2010 was a year of significant progress for EADS. Commercial aircraft orders exceeded expectations and our cash flow generation was excellent,' CEO Louis Gallois said in a statement.
Revenue was up 7% at €45.8 billion with record deliveries of 510 commercial aircraft driven by strong demand in emerging markets, the group said.
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is EADS's main business, alongside helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter and defence and security systems builder Cassidian.
While Cassidian has begun 'to feel the first pressure' of Western governments tightening their defence budgets, the group said it expected a 'clear improvement' in 2012, with bigger sales volumes, higher prices and a boost to the Airbus A380 programme. Airbus is expected to deliver around 25 A380 aircraft this year, against 18 last year, he added.
