Airbus shareholders approve European company structure, director, dividend and share buyback

Airbus Group reported (27-May-2015) shareholders approved all 13 resolutions proposed at its 2015 AGM, including the appointment of a new independent director and conversion into a European Company (Societas Europaea - SE).

• New independent director: María Amparo Moraleda Martínez approved as an independent non-executive member of the board. She replaces Josep Piqué i Camps, who resigned as planned at the close of the meeting;
• New company structure: Conversion to a European Company, means Airbus Group will be renamed Airbus Group SE with the registered seat and head office remaining in Amsterdam. The main purpose of the change is to reflect, in its legal form, the diversified operational presence of the Group in different European countries;
• Share buyback: The board received shareholder consent to repurchase up to 10% of the company's issued share capital for an exceptional share buyback programme. This will give the board and management flexibility to review capital allocation options going forward, in particular with regard to using proceeds from divestments and to returning a portion to shareholders;
• Dividends: A proposed dividend payment of EUR1.20 per share based on the 2014 earnings was approved. The dividend payment, which represents a 60% increase from the previous year, will be made on 03-Jun-2015. [more - original PR]