Airbus Delivery Surge: 235 Planes Left to Hit 820 Target in 2025
Paris, November 5 - As the aviation industry braces for a pivotal year-end sprint, Airbus faces mounting pressure to deliver a staggering 235 commercial aircraft in the final two months of 2025 to achieve its ambitious goal of 820 planes overall. Industry sources close to the European planemaker reveal that the company has handed over 585 jets through October, a solid but backloaded performance amid persistent supply chain hurdles. This leaves an unprecedented November-December push, averaging over 117 deliveries per month, a feat that underscores Airbus's resilience in the competitive aircraft manufacturing landscape. With global airlines clamoring for fuel-efficient models like the A320neo family, which dominates the backlog, Airbus's success could solidify its lead over rival Boeing and boost investor confidence in its long-term production ramp-up.
The challenge stems from a year marked by engine shortages and logistical bottlenecks, forcing Airbus to park dozens of completed "gliders", fully assembled fuselages awaiting powerplants from suppliers like CFM International and Pratt & Whitney. CEO Guillaume Faury has repeatedly affirmed the 820-aircraft target, emphasizing in recent earnings calls that the company is "on track" despite a slow start, with only 136 deliveries in the first quarter. By September, output had climbed to 73 planes, including 68 narrowbodies, signaling momentum as suppliers stabilize. Yet, sources highlight that widebody programs like the A350 lag behind, with just 27 handed over through July, far short of the six-per-month goal, exacerbating the end-of-year crunch. Airbus's order book, swelling to over 8,700 aircraft, reflects booming demand for sustainable aviation solutions, but timely execution remains the linchpin for meeting 2025 aircraft delivery targets.
Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, noting Airbus's track record of late-year surges; in 2024, it delivered 123 planes in December alone to narrowly miss a 770 goal. This year's stakes are higher, with the A320neo family poised to shoulder most of the load, targeting a production rate of 50 monthly units en route to 75 by 2027. Supply chain recovery, including resolved strikes at engine makers, could unlock the gliders and propel deliveries forward. However, any further delays risk eroding margins and testing airline patience, especially as Boeing claws back ground with stabilizing 737 MAX output. For Airbus, navigating these aircraft supply chain challenges is not just about numbers; it's a testament to its prowess in commercial aircraft production amid geopolitical tensions and raw material volatility.
In the broader aerospace sector, Airbus's 2025 delivery trajectory could herald a rebound for global air travel, fueling economic growth through enhanced fleet efficiencies and reduced emissions. As November dawns, all eyes are on Toulouse, where assembly lines hum with urgency. If Airbus threads the needle, it won't just hit its year-end milestone; it will reaffirm its throne in aircraft manufacturing, setting the stage for a dominant 2026. Stakeholders from airlines to investors await the verdict, betting on the planemaker's engineering grit to turn ambition into altitude.