Airbus was founded in 1970 and incorporated initially as a Franco-German consortium (Airbus Industrie), formed by the aerospace companies of [[France]], [[Germany]], [[United Kingdom (UK)]], and [[Spain]]. It is now headquartered in Toulouse, France. Key developments: - Created as European collaboration to compete with US manufacturers - 2001: Transformed from consortium into single integrated company - 2014: Group restructured as Airbus Group (now just Airbus) Ownership: - Publicly traded company (listed in France, Germany, and Spain) - Major shareholders include: * Public float (74%) * SOGEPA (French state holding company, 11%) * GZBV (German state holding company, 11%) * SEPI (Spanish state holding company, 4%) The company has evolved from a European consortium to become one of the world's largest aerospace manufacturers, competing primarily with Boeing in commercial aircraft manufacturing, while also having significant defense and space divisions.