Paris, July 30 - European aerospace giant Airbus has reaffirmed its ambitious full-year commercial aircraft delivery targets following a surge in second-quarter performance that successfully offset a sluggish start to the year. The world’s largest planemaker reported an impressive 54 percent increase in quarterly adjusted operating profit to 2.43 billion euros, easily surpassing analyst expectations. Revenue for the period climbed 28 percent to 20.53 billion euros, driven predominantly by a rapid acceleration in jetliner handovers and sustained momentum within its defense and space division. After delivering 114 aircraft in the first quarter due to supply chain bottlenecks, Airbus bounced back by handing over 237 commercial jets during the second quarter, bringing its first-half total to 351 aircraft and reinforcing confidence in its broader industrial trajectory.
Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury expressed high confidence in reaching the company’s annual benchmark of delivering around 870 commercial aircraft in 2026, noting that execution aligns well with operational expectations. The strong second-quarter showing demonstrated that administrative hurdles, including delayed handovers to Chinese customers and quality checks on A320 fuselage panels, have largely been resolved. Commercial aircraft deliveries across single-aisle and widebody segments, including the A220, A320neo, A330, and A350 platforms, generated 23.9 billion euros in first-half revenue for the commercial division. The substantial surge in delivery volumes has effectively re-established the flight path necessary to meet mid-term goals without compromising manufacturing quality.
Alongside its robust financial metrics, Airbus adopted a noticeably more conciliatory tone regarding its ongoing engine supply disputes with RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney. While public friction regarding engine shortages had previously intensified over delivery delays, executive leadership indicated that agreed supply quantities now support assembly schedules for 2026 and 2027. Crucially, Airbus confirmed it no longer maintains fully assembled airframes parked without engines, commonly referred to as gliders, waiting on factory floors. While the absence of a surplus buffer means engine availability remains a monitored factor for future ramp-up phases, the immediate friction that previously threatened annual delivery commitments has stabilized.
Looking ahead to the second half of the fiscal year, Airbus maintained its financial guidance, projecting full-year adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of approximately 7.5 billion euros and free cash flow of 4.5 billion euros. The commercial aviation sector continues to demonstrate resilient demand, evidenced by a massive order backlog exceeding 7,400 aircraft for the narrowbody A320 family, with zero order cancellations recorded during the period. Supported by accelerating global airline fleet renewals and stabilizing supply chain networks, Airbus appears well positioned to navigate macroeconomic challenges while expanding its market leadership across civil aviation and defense sectors.
