Airbus Cuts A320 Target Amid GTF Engine and SAF Supply Headwinds

Airbus has publicly expressed significant frustration with engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney (P&W) over persistent delays in Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine deliveries, a critical issue that has forced the airframer to reduce its production target for the popular Airbus A320 Family of aircraft. The company also highlighted growing concerns regarding the slow pace of development in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market, another key factor impacting the industry's long-term strategy.

The supply chain disruption directly affects Airbus's ability to ramp up production to meet a record backlog. According to its FY 2025 Earnings Call, Airbus has revised its A320 production rate target to a range of 70 to 75 aircraft per month by the end of 2027. This marks a notable adjustment from its previous, more definitive goal of a steady 75 aircraft per month, underscoring the material impact of the engine shortage.

Production Targets Revised

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury addressed the issue directly, stating, “Pratt & Whitney's failure to commit to the number of engines ordered by Airbus is negatively impacting this year's guidance and the ramp-up trajectory for this year.” The company delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025 and is targeting approximately 870 deliveries in 2026, but achieving this goal is contingent on a strained supply chain. At the end of 2025, Airbus's commercial aircraft backlog stood at a massive 8,754 jets, creating immense pressure to accelerate production.

The airframer has made it clear it will pursue its contractual rights to address the shortfalls. “We will continue to work hard to enforce our contractual rights,” a company statement noted, signaling potential contractual disputes with P&W, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

GTF Engine Headwinds

The core of the production bottleneck lies with P&W's GTF engines. The manufacturer is grappling with a significant recall stemming from a rare condition in powdered metal used for certain high-pressure turbine and compressor disc components. According to an RTX Corporation press release, the issue necessitates a comprehensive fleet management plan that will result in an estimated 600-700 incremental GTF engine shop visits between late 2023 and the end of 2026.

This extensive recall has forced P&W to reallocate resources from new engine production to supporting the in-service fleet, directly impacting deliveries to Airbus's final assembly lines. In response, RTX Chairman and CEO Greg Hayes emphasized safety as the top priority. “We will never compromise on the safe operation of our fleet, which is why the Pratt & Whitney team has worked diligently to develop its fleet management plan,” Hayes stated. However, this focus on the existing fleet has left Airbus short of the powerplants needed to meet its ambitious A320neo family ramp-up.

SAF Market Concerns

Beyond the immediate engine crisis, Airbus also voiced concerns about the long-term challenge of decarbonization, specifically the slow maturation of the SAF market. While the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates SAF could contribute to around 65% of the emissions reduction required for aviation to achieve net-zero by 2050, the current production levels are a fraction of what is needed.

According to IATA data, global SAF production reached 600 million liters in 2023. While this figure doubled the output from 2022, it still represents less than 1% of the total jet fuel consumed globally. This disparity highlights the immense challenge in scaling up production to meet regulatory mandates and industry goals.

Regulations like the European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation mandate are set to drive demand, requiring a minimum SAF blend of 2% in 2025, which will increase incrementally to 70% by 2050. Faury commented on the dilemma, stating, “At Airbus, we strongly believe that SAF is a necessary part of the decarbonization roadmap and strategy, but it's the one that is less in our hands.” This points to the airframer's dependence on the energy sector to build out the necessary infrastructure and production capacity for alternative fuels.

Why This Matters

This dual challenge of engine shortages and slow SAF development highlights the fragility of the aerospace supply chain and the complexity of the industry's green transition. The conflict between Airbus and Pratt & Whitney underscores the high-stakes pressure on suppliers to support unprecedented production ramp-ups. For airlines, the delays mean postponed deliveries and potential network growth constraints, while the slow SAF scale-up poses a long-term risk to meeting critical climate targets.

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