Airbus Picks Up Pace: Delivers 72 Aircraft in September Despite Quality Snags
European planemaker Airbus managed to curb the impact of recent industrial setbacks by logging around 72 deliveries in September, beating market expectations as it navigates additional quality inspections across its A330 fleet.
Operational Assessment: September Outpaces Analyst Forecasts
According to industry sources, Airbus handed over up to 72 aircraft during the month of September—a figure that virtually matches the 73 deliveries logged in the same period last year. This operational rebound came despite lingering concerns over supply chain bottlenecks, shortages of engines and other structural parts, and a recent industrial quality lapse affecting Airbus A321neo components.
Key Takeaways from the Provisional Assessment:
- Preliminary figures: The estimated 72 deliveries exceed forecasts by independent analysts, who had projected deliveries in the mid-to-high 60s (analysts at Jefferies forecast 68 deliveries).
- Market reaction: Airbus shares rose by approximately 1.8% in morning trading following the report.
- Official statement: The aircraft manufacturer declined to formally comment on this provisional volume ahead of the release of its monthly commercial and industrial bulletin, scheduled for October 8.
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The Year-End Challenge: A Record Fourth Quarter Needed
Despite the ramp-up in assembly line output, the company will require record fourth-quarter delivery volumes to achieve its full-year guidance. To smooth out disruptions and maintain the delivery cadence of the A321neo—addressing potential airline cost increases caused by tighter maintenance intervals—Airbus has offered commercial concessions to airline customers.
Sector sources noted that September output still lagged original internal targets, shifting roughly 20 aircraft from Q3 into Q4 due to lingering upstream delays. Nonetheless, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Lars Wagner reaffirmed this week that he remains “very confident” in meeting the full-year target of approximately 870 aircraft deliveries.
Quality Notice Across the A330 Fleet
In parallel with its narrowbody production challenges, Airbus has issued operational service recommendations to Airbus A330 operators:
- Inspections for loose tools: The planemaker advised airlines to inspect aircraft following the discovery of a loose tool inside the horizontal tailplane of an airframe earlier this year, an issue that previously triggered delivery delays.
- Fleet scope: This recommendation precedes an anticipated regulatory directive expected later this year. It applies to widebody aircraft delivered between January 2021 and July of this year, covering an estimated 160 airframes according to Cirium data.
- Impact on military variants: Among the aircraft subject to inspection are 15 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft.
Airbus confirmed that all new aircraft rolling off its assembly lines have already undergone exhaustive inspections and are cleared for unrestricted delivery.
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