Airbus jetliner deliveries fell 34% in 2020

Airbus ended 2020 with 566 commercial aircraft delivered, down more than 34% compared to 2019, when 861 aircraft had been delivered. The planemaker considered the result promising in the face of restrictions on air travel caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Working hand-in-hand with our customers allowed us to navigate a difficult year. The Airbus teams, customers and suppliers truly pulled together in the face of adversity to deliver this result. We also thank our partners and governments for their strong support for the sector,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer. “Based on our 2020 deliveries we are cautiously optimistic as we look into 2021, although challenges and uncertainties remain high in the short term.”

The impact of the brutal drop in air traffic, however, was most felt in the long-range aircraft range. Of 173 widebodies delivered in 2019, Airbus only completed the delivery of 82 aircraft last year. The biggest drop occurred with the A330neo, which had only 13 jets delivered, compared to 41 in 2019. The A350, its most efficient model, had a lower loss: there were 59 units, including 14 A350-1000, the largest capacity variant.

In contrast, narrowbodies fell less sharply. The A220 family had 38 deliveries, ten fewer than two years ago. The A320neo, Airbus’ biggest success, dropped by 22%, with 120 planes less than in 2019, yet a relief in a year in which its competitor, the Boeing 737 MAX, spent most of its flight ban.

Orders

Airbus also revealed that it received 383 orders last year, but 115 cancellations, which resulted in 268 net orders. The order list includes 64 units of the A220, 296 units of the A320 family, two A330s and 21 A350s. The backlog ended 2020 with 7,184 orders, according to the manufacturer.

Deliveries in 2020