The group said that its net profit totalled 1.68 billion euros (2.0 billion dollars), while operating profit, or earnings before interest and tax, rose 17 percent to 2.85 billion euros.

Aircraft maker Airbus contributed the biggest share to group operating profit, eclipsing the profits of EADS' helicopter unit Eurocopter, and its space, defence and security activities.

Operating profit from Airbus rose to 2.307 billion euros from 1.919 billion euros in 2004.

Airbus delivered 378 aircraft during the year, posting sales of 22.17 billion euros, and EADS said deliveries would increase by a further 10 percent this year.

Both Airbus and arch-rival Boeing reported a record number of orders in 2005 as the global air travel industry rebounded and airlines took advantage of the favourable economic climate to place orders to renew their fleets.

Eurocopter's operating profit in 2005 totalled 212 million euros, an increase from 201 million euros in the previous year, while the EADS Space division posted an operating profit of 58 million euros, up from 9 million euros in 2004.

The Space division continued to suffer from a difficult business environment, but had incurred lower restructuring costs, EADS said.

Operating profit fell in the defence and security systems division to 201 million euros from 226 million in 2004.

EADS, or the Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, also announced plans to restructure its Sogerma Services unit, which offers services and support to commercial and military plane operators, after the unit reported a widening of its full year operating loss to 198 million euros.

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