Airbus Beats Delivery Target on Late-Year Surge Despite A320 Glitches
Overview
Airbus SE surpassed its revised aircraft delivery goal for the year, handing over 793 planes to customers. The European manufacturer achieved this despite production delays linked to faulty fuselage panels on its popular A320 family jets. The company also secured significant new orders, boosting its backlog to a robust 8,754 aircraft.
Late Surge Boosts Deliveries
Airbus SE delivered 793 aircraft to customers last year, narrowly exceeding its adjusted target. This achievement came after a significant rally in the final weeks of December. The planemaker's final delivery count edged past the revised goal of 790 units. This performance marks a strong recovery from earlier setbacks.
A320 Issues Impacted Output
Deliveries in December alone reached 136 aircraft, enabling Airbus to surpass its annual goal. The company had previously cut its target from 820 units in December. This revision followed the discovery of faulty fuselage panels on the best-selling A320 family jets. These issues necessitated additional inspections, which disrupted planned output.
Strong Order Intake Bolsters Backlog
The European manufacturer recorded 889 net new orders throughout the year. This robust intake swells Airbus's total order backlog to a substantial 8,754 aircraft. Significant deals were struck in the final week of December, including agreements for over 140 narrowbody A320 jets with Chinese airlines and a lessor. Airbus delivered 607 A320 family jets in 2023, the highest volume since 2019.
Supply Chain Watch Continues
Airbus has not yet disclosed its production target for the current year. This figure is closely monitored as it offers insight into the health of the global aerospace supply chain and manufacturing processes. Analysts anticipate Airbus could deliver around 900 aircraft in 2026. Competitor Boeing Co. is set to report its annual orders and deliveries soon. Boeing has faced production challenges following a significant incident early this year that highlighted quality control issues.
