FILE PHOTO: An Airbus logo is pictured during delivery of the new Airbus A380 aircraft to Singapore Airlines at Airbus's headquarters in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, December 13, 2017. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) - Airbus Group AIR.PA said on Wednesday it has appointed Bruno Even as head of its helicopter division, effective from April 1.

Even, 49, was CEO of the helicopter engines business at Safran SAF.PA, and succeeds Guillaume Faury, who is moving to become president of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.

Airbus Helicopters has suffered from a slowdown in orders in recent years due to a downturn in the oil and gas sector, one of its main customers, and expects deliveries in 2018 to be roughly on a par with last year.

Even will also have to redefine the X6 heavy helicopter, which has suffered technological challenges and which Faury said last month would likely turn out differently than originally envisaged.

Airbus Group is due to report its 2017 results on Thursday.