Airbus Under Pressure to Hit 820 Aircraft Delivery Target After August Slowdown
Airbus is facing mounting pressure to meet its ambitious 2025 delivery target of approximately 820 aircraft after reporting around 60 deliveries in August, a figure that, while higher than the usual summer slowdown, still leaves the manufacturer behind its pace from last year. Despite persistent supply chain challenges—particularly ongoing engine delays from key suppliers such as CFM International and Pratt & Whitney—Airbus is relying on ramped-up production and resourceful assembly processes, like building “gliders” (aircraft frames awaiting engines), to accelerate deliveries in the second half of the year. The company’s goal represents a 7 percent increase over 2024, yet to achieve it, Airbus must average nearly 97 deliveries per month in the final quarter, a pace exceeding pre-pandemic records. While this task is formidable, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about Airbus’ ability to close the gap, given its historical strengths in scaling production. The delivery performance will be critical not only to Airbus’ revenue and cash flow but also to satisfying the fleet expansion plans of airlines worldwide, as well as maintaining competitiveness against Boeing, which is still stabilizing production.
Airbus is facing increasing pressure to meet its ambitious annual delivery targets after delivering approximately 60 aircraft in August 2025, according to
industry analysts and sources. The European aerospace giant has set a target of delivering around 820 jets this year, which represents a 7 percent increase
over 2024. However, the company continues to grapple with persistent supply chain disruptions, especially delays in crucial engine deliveries from suppliers
like CFM International and Pratt & Whitney. These delays mean that while Airbus assembles aircraft frames known as "gliders," these remain incomplete and waiting
for engines, forcing a backloaded production schedule for the latter half of the year.
Deliveries are a critical metric for Airbus, directly impacting its revenue, cash flow, and the expansion plans of airline customers worldwide. While the 60 aircraft
delivered in August mark an improvement over the typical summer slowdown, cumulative deliveries for 2025 are still estimated to be about 3 percent lower than the
same period in 2024, with around 433 jets delivered so far. To achieve its target, Airbus must significantly accelerate production and deliveries in the coming months,
requiring an average of roughly 97 aircraft per month through the final quarter, surpassing pre-pandemic records.
Industry experts caution that the final months of 2025 will be decisive. The company’s ability to scale manufacturing and manage ongoing supply chain challenges will
be tested, with some analysts projecting that Airbus might achieve around 790-800 deliveries instead of the full 820. Despite these hurdles, Airbus remains well-positioned
to retain its status as the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer in 2025, outpacing Boeing, which is still recovering from earlier production challenges.
With continuing demand for both narrowbody aircraft like the A320 family and widebodies such as the A350, Airbus’ delivery performance this year will have significant
implications not only for its financial results but also for the competitive dynamics within the global aerospace sector. The pressure to meet delivery targets amid
supply constraints underscores ongoing challenges facing the aviation industry as it recovers from pandemic disruptions and navigates complex geopolitical and economic environments.
Airbus is facing increasing pressure to meet its ambitious annual delivery targets after delivering approximately 60 aircraft in August 2025, according to
industry analysts and sources. The European aerospace giant has set a target of delivering around 820 jets this year, which represents a 7 percent increase
over 2024. However, the company continues to grapple with persistent supply chain disruptions, especially delays in crucial engine deliveries from suppliers
like CFM International and Pratt & Whitney. These delays mean that while Airbus assembles aircraft frames known as "gliders," these remain incomplete and waiting
for engines, forcing a backloaded production schedule for the latter half of the year.
Deliveries are a critical metric for Airbus, directly impacting its revenue, cash flow, and the expansion plans of airline customers worldwide. While the 60 aircraft
delivered in August mark an improvement over the typical summer slowdown, cumulative deliveries for 2025 are still estimated to be about 3 percent lower than the
same period in 2024, with around 433 jets delivered so far. To achieve its target, Airbus must significantly accelerate production and deliveries in the coming months,
requiring an average of roughly 97 aircraft per month through the final quarter, surpassing pre-pandemic records.
Industry experts caution that the final months of 2025 will be decisive. The company’s ability to scale manufacturing and manage ongoing supply chain challenges will
be tested, with some analysts projecting that Airbus might achieve around 790-800 deliveries instead of the full 820. Despite these hurdles, Airbus remains well-positioned
to retain its status as the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer in 2025, outpacing Boeing, which is still recovering from earlier production challenges.
With continuing demand for both narrowbody aircraft like the A320 family and widebodies such as the A350, Airbus’ delivery performance this year will have significant
implications not only for its financial results but also for the competitive dynamics within the global aerospace sector. The pressure to meet delivery targets amid
supply constraints underscores ongoing challenges facing the aviation industry as it recovers from pandemic disruptions and navigates complex geopolitical and economic environments.