Airbus Misses 2024 Delivery Target by Four Jets, Widening Lead Over Boeing

The European aerospace giant Airbus confirmed its final commercial aircraft delivery figures for 2024. The manufacturer delivered a total of 766 commercial jets to customers worldwide. This result came just shy of its revised annual target of 770 aircraft. The final tally was only four units short of the company’s goal. This performance follows a strong late-year push in December. The final figures underscore Airbus’s continued dominance in the global single-aisle aircraft market.

The Delivery Race: Airbus vs. Boeing

Airbus’s 766 deliveries mark a 4.2% increase from the 735 aircraft delivered in 2023. The company’s performance significantly outpaced its main rival, Boeing. The American manufacturer delivered only 348 commercial aircraft in 2024. This figure is a sharp decrease from Boeing’s 528 deliveries in the prior year. The gap between the two aviation heavyweights widened substantially during the year.

Narrowbody Dominance

The bulk of Airbus’s deliveries came from its highly popular narrowbody jets. The A320 Family accounted for 602 units delivered. This includes the A320neo and A321neo variants. The A220 program also saw growth, delivering 75 aircraft. This highlights the strong global demand for fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft. These jets are crucial for airlines focused on fleet modernization and expansion. The year also saw the first delivery of the long-awaited A321XLR. This new variant offers extended range capabilities to operators.

Widebody deliveries remained steady. The A330 Family maintained 32 deliveries, matching the previous year. The A350 Family deliveries totaled 57 units.

Challenges and Market Context

Airbus initially aimed for 800 deliveries in 2024. However, the company lowered its target to 770 in July. This revision was necessary due to persistent aviation supply chain issues. Shortages of engines and other key components slowed the final assembly process. Despite these challenges, the company’s CEO stated the result was within the target range.

Boeing’s delivery numbers were heavily impacted by several factors. The company faced significant 737 MAX production challenges. Quality control issues led to reduced output rates. Additionally, a major strike involving unionized workers further hampered production. Boeing chose not to issue a delivery forecast for the year. The focus shifted to safety and quality improvements across its production system.

Industry Impact and Outlook

The combined deliveries from both manufacturers totaled 1,094 aircraft. This is a decrease from the previous year’s total. The shortfall reflects the ongoing difficulties in ramping up production. Airlines continue to face delays in receiving new aircraft. This impacts their capacity planning and growth strategies. The strong backlog of 8,658 aircraft for Airbus signals robust future demand. This ensures years of steady production for the manufacturer. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

• Key Takeaways for Airlines:
  • Airbus’s performance provides some stability in the single-aisle segment.
  • Boeing’s lower output exacerbates the global aircraft shortage.
  • Airlines must continue to manage fleet growth expectations due to manufacturer delays.