Airbus Targets Record 870 Aircraft Deliveries in 2026 After Strong 2025

Airbus has set a target to deliver approximately 870 commercial aircraft in 2026, aiming for a new company record. The guidance follows a year of strong financial performance and high demand, positioning the manufacturer to capitalize on the continued recovery of the air travel market despite persistent industrial challenges.

The Toulouse-based Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is navigating a complex environment characterized by robust airline demand for new, fuel-efficient aircraft on one hand, and significant supply chain constraints on the other. The 2026 delivery goal represents a nearly 10% increase over the previous year, signaling confidence in its ability to manage production ramp-ups for its key aircraft families, including the popular A320neo.

2025 Financial and Operational Performance

According to its full-year 2025 report, Airbus's financial results underscore the industry's positive momentum. The company generated consolidated revenues of €73.4 billion. Its Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT), a key performance indicator showing underlying business margin, reached €7.1 billion. Reported EBIT stood at €6.1 billion, with a net income of €5.221 billion.

Operationally, Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025 to 88 customers. The delivery breakdown, according to industry reports, included 93 A220s, 607 A320 Family aircraft, 36 A330s, and 57 A350s. This performance was supported by 889 net new commercial aircraft orders, pushing the company's order backlog to a record 8,754 aircraft at the end of 2025. Free cash flow before customer financing, a measure of financial health, was a robust €4.6 billion.

In a statement on the results, Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury described the year as a landmark. "2025 was a landmark year, characterised by very strong demand for our products and services across all businesses, a record financial performance, and strategic milestones," Faury said. "We successfully navigated a complex and dynamic operating environment to deliver on our updated guidance."

Production Ramp-Up and Supply Chain Headwinds

While demand remains high, Airbus continues to face headwinds from a strained global supply chain. These challenges have directly impacted production timelines for its best-selling narrowbody jets. The company now expects to reach a monthly production rate of 70-75 A320 family aircraft by the end of 2027, a slight delay from previous targets. Engine availability, particularly from suppliers like Pratt & Whitney, remains a primary bottleneck affecting the production trajectory.

These industrial pressures are a key risk factor for achieving the 2026 delivery targets. The stability and capacity of hundreds of suppliers are critical to sustaining the planned increase in output. The company has indicated it is working closely with partners to de-risk the supply chain and secure the necessary components for its ramp-up.

Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead, Airbus has provided guidance for the 2026 fiscal year, contingent on no further disruptions to the world economy, air traffic, or its internal operations. Alongside the target of approximately 870 commercial aircraft deliveries, the company is aiming for an EBIT Adjusted of around €7.5 billion. Based on the 2025 performance, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend of €3.20 per share to the 2026 Annual General Meeting. The full financial statements and company outlook are available in the Airbus Newsroom.

Why This Matters

In my view, Airbus's strong 2025 results and ambitious 2026 targets confirm that the commercial aviation recovery is fully underway from a demand perspective. However, the story is no longer just about securing orders; it's about the industrial capability to fulfill them. The adjusted A320 production timeline is a clear signal that supply chain fragility, not a lack of customers, is now the primary constraint on growth for the entire aerospace sector. How Airbus and its competitor Boeing manage these industrial pressures will define the market landscape for the next several years.

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