Airbus Targets Record 2026 Deliveries Despite Engine Supply Constraints

Airbus has set an ambitious target to deliver approximately 870 commercial aircraft in 2026, a figure that would establish a new company record. The goal, outlined in the company's 2025 financial results, hinges on overcoming significant supply chain disruptions, particularly persistent engine shortages from supplier Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

The manufacturer's guidance for 2026 represents a notable increase from the 793 aircraft delivered in 2025. If achieved, the target would surpass the previous high of 863 deliveries set in 2019, before the global aviation industry faced widespread disruption. However, ongoing issues with engine availability are forcing Airbus to temper its production ramp-up for its best-selling Airbus A320 family of narrow-body airliners.

Financial Performance and Production Headwinds

According to Airbus's 2025 Financial Results, the company's consolidated revenues increased by 6% in 2025 to €73.4 billion. This performance was bolstered by very strong demand, which pushed the manufacturer's order backlog to a record 8,754 commercial aircraft at the end of the year. The A320 family was a key driver, accounting for 607 of the 793 total deliveries in 2025.

Despite this strong market position, the production forecast is clouded by supply chain realities. Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury directly addressed the challenges posed by the engine manufacturer. "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," Faury stated.

The impact is most acute on the A320 program. Airbus has revised its production schedule, now expecting to reach a monthly rate of 70 to 75 A320 Family aircraft by the end of 2027, a delay from previous targets. The company plans to stabilize production at a rate of 75 per month after 2027.

Faury acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, adding, "We have to bite the bullet in 2026 of that very painful and unsatisfactory situation with impact on 2026, but working hard to restore a good situation moving forward, and that's the work ongoing with Pratt."

Broader Industry Context

The challenges at Airbus reflect a wider trend across the aerospace industry. Both major manufacturers are grappling with fragile supply chains that are struggling to keep pace with a post-pandemic surge in demand for new, more fuel-efficient aircraft. While Airbus contends with engine shortages, its main competitor, Boeing, has been navigating its own series of production and quality control crises, creating a constrained market for airlines eager to modernize their fleets.

The record backlog at Airbus underscores the immense pressure on the supply chain. Airlines are placing large orders to reduce operating costs and meet sustainability goals, but the industrial base required to build these aircraft is facing bottlenecks in raw materials, components, and skilled labor. The engine supply issue with Pratt & Whitney is a critical example of this dynamic, directly limiting Airbus's ability to convert its massive order book into deliveries and revenue.

What Comes Next

The immediate focus for Airbus is to work with Pratt & Whitney to secure a stable and predictable flow of engines to support its assembly lines. The revised timeline for the A320 ramp-up to the end of 2027 provides a new, more conservative roadmap for airlines and suppliers. The coming months will be crucial in determining if the supply chain can stabilize enough to allow Airbus to meet its revised targets and begin closing the gap between its record backlog and its delivery capabilities.

Why This Matters

This situation highlights the critical vulnerability of the global aviation industry's supply chain. While demand for new aircraft is at an all-time high, the ability of manufacturers to deliver is capped by key suppliers. For airlines, this translates to longer waits for new aircraft, potentially delaying fleet renewal plans, impacting growth strategies, and keeping older, less efficient jets in service for longer than anticipated.

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