Paris, Jan 2 (IANS): Taking off into the New Year, the EADS group has been rebranded as Airbus Group, uniting all its activities under a single and strong brand, it was announced Thursday.

With two of its three divisions renamed, the group will be home to Airbus, focussing on commercial aircraft activities; Airbus Defence and Space, integrating the group’s defence and space activities from Cassidian, Astrium, and Airbus Military; and Airbus Helicopters, comprising all commercial and military helicopter activities.

“For many years, Airbus has been a globally renowned synonym for technology breakthrough as well as aeronautic passion and pride,” said Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders.

“Joining forces under the strong Airbus brand gives all our operations and employees the thrust and lift to capture global markets,” he added.

The group is also launching procedures to change the legal form of its holding by 2015. Once renamed, Airbus Group N.V. shall turn into a European company, Airbus Group SE (Societas Europaea) which will continue to be registered in the Netherlands.

“We are a pioneer for European industrial integration. It is a logical step and high time that our multinational culture is also mirrored in our legal structure,” said Enders.

Both the legal name change into Airbus Group N.V. and the conversion of the legal form into SE are subject to approval of the annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders. While adoption of the new name is expected at the AGM in May 2014, the legal conversion is targeted for approval in May 2015.

“These steps complement the transformation process of the Group. In less than two years, the company has not only modernised its governance, broadened the shareholding structure, and united the Headquarters but also thoroughly overhauled its company strategy and launched the integration of the defence and space businesses,” an Airbus statement said.

Airbus Group is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2012, the Group - comprising Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters - generated revenues of 56.5 billion euros and employed a workforce of over 140,000.