Paris, June 4 - In May 2025, Airbus, Europe’s leading commercial aircraft manufacturer, delivered approximately 51 airplanes, marking a 4% decline compared to the same month in the previous year, according to industry sources. This reduction brings the company’s year-to-date deliveries to around 243 aircraft, reflecting a 5% drop from the first five months of 2024. The figures highlight ongoing challenges in the aerospace industry, particularly supply chain disruptions that have persisted since the global pandemic, impacting Airbus’s ability to meet its ambitious delivery targets for the year. The company is aiming for a 7% increase in annual deliveries, targeting 820 aircraft in 2025, but the current trajectory suggests significant hurdles remain.
.gif)
The decline in May deliveries is primarily attributed to delays in the supply of critical components, notably engines, which have slowed production lines. Airbus has acknowledged these issues, stating that it expects stabilization in delivery operations over the summer as engine supplies improve. The company’s production challenges are not isolated but part of a broader industry struggle, with airlines expressing frustration over persistent delays. At a recent annual gathering of airline leaders in New Delhi, industry executives voiced concerns about supply chain bottlenecks that have lingered for years, hampering fleet expansion and modernization efforts. These delays have placed Airbus under increasing pressure to meet customer expectations while navigating a complex global supply environment.
Airbus’s performance in 2025 follows a year of mixed results in 2024, when the company delivered 766 commercial aircraft to 86 customers worldwide, falling slightly short of its adjusted target of around 770 jets. Despite this, Airbus maintained its position as the industry leader, outpacing its main rival, Boeing, which has faced its own production and regulatory challenges. The 2024 deliveries included notable milestones, such as the first A321XLR delivery and the initial A330neo and A350 handovers to several global customers. However, the 4% drop in May 2025 underscores the difficulty of sustaining that momentum amid ongoing supply chain constraints and new pressures, such as potential trade tariffs.
Looking ahead, Airbus is focused on ramping up production to meet its 2025 guidance of 820 deliveries, which would represent a 7% increase from 2024. The company is also navigating the integration of certain Spirit AeroSystems work packages, expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, which could further complicate production schedules. Additionally, Airbus is managing specific supply chain challenges, particularly for its A350 program, where production is currently capped at six aircraft per month for the remainder of 2025 due to disruptions at Spirit AeroSystems. Despite these obstacles, Airbus remains optimistic about its long-term outlook, supported by a robust order backlog of 8,668 aircraft as of April 2025, driven largely by demand for its A220 and A320 family narrowbodies. The company’s ability to address these supply chain issues and stabilize production will be critical to achieving its goals and maintaining its competitive edge in the global aerospace market.