Paris, September 2 - Airbus is racing against time to meet its ambitious 2025 delivery target of 820 commercial aircraft, following an estimated 60 deliveries in August, according to industry sources and analysts. This figure, while a notable improvement over August 2024, underscores the steep challenge ahead, as Airbus’s cumulative deliveries through August 2025 stand at approximately 433 aircraft, about 3% behind last year’s pace. The company’s goal, representing a 7% increase from the 766 jets delivered in 2024, hinges on an unprecedented final-quarter push, requiring an average of 97 deliveries per month from September through December. This rate surpasses Airbus’s pre-pandemic peak of 92 aircraft per month in 2018, highlighting the strain on its production capacity. Persistent supply chain bottlenecks, particularly delays in engine and cabin equipment supplies from key partners like CFM International and Pratt & Whitney, have created significant hurdles. Additionally, issues with suppliers like Spirit AeroSystems, particularly for A350 fuselage components, have slowed production, with Airbus reporting 60 engineless “glider” aircraft awaiting completion as of mid-2025.
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To address these challenges, Airbus has implemented strategic measures to bolster its supply chain and production scalability. In August 2025, the company finalized a $439 million acquisition of key Spirit AeroSystems manufacturing sites in Kinston, North Carolina, and Prestwick, Scotland, aiming to vertically integrate critical aerostructure production and reduce reliance on third-party suppliers. A $94 million investment in Spirit AeroSystems is also supporting the A350 program, while a planned second A320neo production line in China is expected to boost output by 2027. These initiatives reflect Airbus’s efforts to mitigate geopolitical risks, such as U.S. tariffs on components, and stabilize its supply chain. However, analysts warn that without significant improvements in engine availability and supplier performance, Airbus may fall short of its target, potentially revising it downward to 780–800 aircraft. The A320neo program, which constitutes 70% of Airbus’s narrowbody output, has struggled to meet its 50-unit-per-month target, delivering only 40 units in April 2025, further complicating the path to 820 deliveries.
The pressure to meet the 2025 target is intensified by Airbus’s substantial order backlog of 8,678 jets as of July 2025, with 88% comprising A220 and A320neo family aircraft. This backlog, equivalent to over a decade of production at current rates, underscores strong market demand but also the critical need to resolve supply chain constraints. Analysts note that September will be a pivotal month, as Airbus must significantly ramp up deliveries to close the gap. The company’s ability to convert its 60 engineless gliders into deliverable aircraft within one to two months will be crucial, particularly as engine deliveries are expected to surge in the second half of 2025. Despite these efforts, the delivery pace required exceeds historical benchmarks, raising doubts about feasibility. For instance, Cirium’s estimate of 58 deliveries in August suggests a 5% statistical chance of reaching 810 deliveries, with some analysts predicting a more realistic outcome of 790–800 aircraft.
Airbus’s competitive position as the world’s largest planemaker remains intact, despite a slow start to 2025 that briefly saw Boeing overtake it in deliveries. Boeing’s ongoing recovery from internal challenges has allowed Airbus to maintain its lead, but the gap could narrow if supply chain disruptions persist. The company’s financial outlook, projecting an adjusted operating income of €7 billion and free cash flow of €4.5 billion for 2025, depends heavily on meeting delivery targets to drive revenue and support airline expansion plans. While Airbus has demonstrated resilience through strategic investments and a robust order book, the final months of 2025 will test its ability to coordinate its global supply chain and overcome production bottlenecks. The outcome will not only shape Airbus’s financial performance but also influence the broader aerospace industry, as airlines await new aircraft to meet growing passenger demand.