Airbus Warns Delivery Delays Will Extend Three More Years
Airbus has alerted airlines that aircraft delivery delays will persist for another three years due to ongoing supply chain issues. According to industry sources, this message was reinforced during a recent meeting with customers in Toulouse.
Although the European manufacturer has made some progress after the logistical disruptions caused by the pandemic, it still faces significant shortages in structural components and engines. “Airbus is discussing delays for aircraft scheduled as far out as 2027 and 2028,” confirmed a senior airline executive, who also noted that these setbacks are being communicated incrementally every few months.
Impact on Fleet Planning
The uncertainty has begun to disrupt fleet planning, particularly for leasing companies like Air Lease Corp, which received notifications this month about delays in A320neo and A321neo models slated for 2027 and 2028. While lessors may experience greater volatility in their schedules, the news underscores widespread concerns about the shortage of new aircraft.
An industry executive added: “When you reach these production volumes and compare the charts of what you want to build versus what you can actually build, the gap between the two becomes enormous.”
Ambitious Target: 75 Aircraft per Month
Airbus remains committed to its goal of producing 75 units monthly of its flagship A320 family. CEO Guillaume Faury reaffirmed in January the target for 2027, though the timeline has already been pushed back. In April, he confirmed the company continues to ramp up production. Analysts estimate Airbus currently produces around 60 units per month.
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Despite these efforts, bottlenecks continue to create pressure. “We are working with our suppliers to mitigate the impact on customers,” an Airbus spokesperson stated. However, industry sources indicate no clear signs of improvement.
Strained Supply Chains
Safran, which co-owns CFM—the world’s largest engine manufacturer—alongside GE Aerospace, recently reported supply chain improvements and expects to recover from a slow start in 2025. Yet, CFM has not yet agreed on a firm timeline to support Airbus’s target of 75 monthly aircraft, according to three industry sources.
Airbus has warned that engine-related issues may worsen before improving. These challenges, combined with strong demand in the spare parts market, continue to constrain delivery capacity.
May Deliveries Fall Short of Previous Year
In the short term, aircraft deliveries remain under pressure. Airbus has delivered 32 units so far in May and may exceed 40 by month-end. Even so, this would fall short of the 53 deliveries recorded in the same month last year. From January to April, deliveries dropped by 5%, according to Rob Morris, global head of consultancy at Cirium Ascend.
Despite the challenging environment, Airbus maintained its annual target of 820 commercial deliveries this month, representing a 7% increase. The industry is watching closely to see if the company can meet this pledge without further deterioration in the supply chain.
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