Airbus is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac France near Toulouse and with significant activity across Europe the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners. Airbus began as a consortium of aerospace manufacturers Airbus Industrie. Consolidation of European defence and aerospace companies in 1999 and 2000 allowed the establishment of a simplified joint-stock company in 2001 owned by EADS (80%) and BAE Systems (20%).
