Airbus managed to slightly increase the number of commercial jets delivered in September, compared to August, but not enough to get close to the annual target of 770 aircraft.
Last month, 50 aircraft were delivered, five fewer than in September 2023. Up to September, 497 jets were delivered, a slight increase of 1.8% compared to last year.
This means that Airbus will have to deliver 273 aircraft in the 4th quarter if it wants to meet the revised guidance (the original target was 800 aircraft in 2024).
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On average, 91 aircraft will have to be delivered per month, compared to 81 jets if the company had managed to at least maintain the pace in September.
As has been routine, the difficulty in meeting deliveries is related to the shortage of components, especially engines, caused by persistent problems faced by the supply chain.
The company told Reuters that it remains committed to reaching the target, but market analysts are already expecting a slightly lower number, around 750 aircraft delivered.
The 4th quarter is traditionally the one with the highest volume of deliveries. In 2023, Airbus sent 247 aircraft to its customers in that period, 112 in December alone.
The A330-900 is the type with the highest increase
The difficulties with deliveries affect all four Airbus aircraft families.
The one with the highest growth is the A220, with a 9.8% increase, but its share of the pie is small, with 45 aircraft delivered.
The widebodies A330 and A350 have the same numbers as in 2023, with 20 and 36 deliveries, respectively. Only the A330-900 shows greater growth, with 9.8% above last year.
However, it is the A320neo family that is impacting the poor results. So far, 396 aircraft have been delivered, just five more than in 2023.
While the A321neo, currently its most popular commercial jet, has delivered nine more aircraft than in 2023, the A320neo is one aircraft below last year’s volume.
Alleged massive order from Air India
Even though it cannot meet demand, Airbus continues to close significant new deals.
The planemaker announced a total of 235 orders in September, with 80 A320neo jets for lessor CDB Leasing and 70 aircraft from the same family for Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific.
An order for 85 aircraft (20 A320neo, 55 A321neo and 10 A350s) has been linked to an undisclosed customer.
Industry sources, however, said the buyer was Air India, which has been investing heavily in expanding its fleet.
Airbus’s backlog of orders for delivery has reached 8,749 aircraft.
