Airbus Deliveries Slow in January 2026 Amid Production Hurdles

Airbus has reported a slow start to its 2026 delivery schedule, handing over 19 aircraft in January, a notable decrease from the 25 jets delivered in the same month of 2025. The figures signal persistent aerospace supply chain pressures that challenge the manufacturer's ambitious production ramp-up targets for the year.

The subdued January performance places immediate focus on Airbus's full-year guidance, which targets approximately 870 commercial aircraft deliveries. Achieving this goal, an increase from the 793 aircraft delivered in 2025, requires a significant acceleration in production throughout the remainder of the year. The primary obstacle remains a constrained supply chain, with engine availability emerging as a critical bottleneck affecting the company's high-demand A320neo (Airbus A320 New Engine Option) family of aircraft.

Production Goals Meet Supply Chain Realities

Despite the slow start, demand for Airbus aircraft remains at an all-time high. According to the company's 2025 annual results, its commercial aircraft backlog stood at a record 8,754 aircraft at the end of the year. The company continued to build this backlog in January 2026, securing 49 gross orders. This vast order book underscores the critical need for Airbus to resolve its production constraints.

The manufacturer has been forced to adjust its production targets in response to these challenges. The ramp-up for the A320neo family has been slowed, with a new target of 70 to 75 aircraft per month now expected by the end of 2027. This revises a previous goal of reaching 75 aircraft per month by mid-decade. The Airbus A220 program is also facing a slower production ramp-up due to similar supply chain issues. While January is a seasonally slow month for deliveries following year-end pushes, the current rate highlights the significant industrial effort required to meet annual targets.

Engine Shortages Identified as Key Constraint

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has directly identified engine availability as a primary constraint on the company's production capabilities. In recent commentary, Faury specifically pointed to shortages of the GTF (Geared Turbofan) engine, produced by supplier Pratt & Whitney, as a key factor limiting the 2026 delivery guidance.

Faury described the situation as "unsatisfactory," stating that 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." He added that Airbus will "continue to work hard to enforce our contractual rights." The A320neo family is offered with two engine options: the GTF and the LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engine from CFM International. The shortage appears primarily focused on the GTF supply line. Faury noted that while 2025 marked a turning point where many broader supply chain issues began to resolve, the rapid production ramp-up has placed renewed pressure on specific suppliers like engine manufacturers.

Broader Industry Impact

The challenges faced by Airbus are indicative of a wider trend across the commercial aviation industry. The global aircraft order backlog has surpassed 17,000 aircraft, which equates to nearly 12 years of production at current rates. This reflects a significant and long-term mismatch between robust airline demand and the qualified industrial capacity to meet it. Key bottlenecks extend beyond engines to include specialty materials, castings, forgings, and fasteners.

For airlines, these manufacturing delays have direct operational and financial consequences. Carriers are forced to operate older, less fuel-efficient aircraft for longer than planned, which can increase operating costs and slow progress toward sustainability targets. Fleet renewal and expansion plans are disrupted, potentially affecting route networks and passenger capacity.

What Comes Next

Airbus's primary focus for 2026 will be on stabilizing its supply chain to support a steep increase in monthly deliveries. The company's ability to meet its 870-aircraft delivery target, which would surpass its all-time record of 863 aircraft set in 2019, is entirely dependent on its suppliers' performance. The ramp-up of the A320neo family toward the 70-75 per month rate by 2027 remains a central industrial objective.

In parallel, the company continues to advance other programs. The A350F (Airbus A350 Freighter), the cargo variant of its wide-body aircraft, is targeting its first flight in the third quarter of 2026. Successfully navigating the current production environment will be crucial for maintaining momentum across its entire product portfolio.

Why This Matters

Airbus's early 2026 performance is a clear indicator of the persistent fragility within the global aerospace supply chain. The situation highlights the deep interdependence between airframers and their hundreds of suppliers, where a single component shortage can disrupt the entire production system. For airlines and the broader industry, these delays underscore the central challenge of balancing record-breaking demand for new aircraft with the industrial capacity to build them.

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