Airbus Sets Sights on 820 Aircraft Deliveries in 2025 Amid Supply Chain Strains

Airbus

LEAP Engine Bottlenecks and Spirit AeroSystems Delays Challenge Production Targets

Freighter Variant of A350 Pushed to Late 2027 as Integration Timeline Shifts

Airbus is targeting the delivery of 820 commercial aircraft in 2025, a moderate ramp-up from its 2024 revised goal of 770 units. However, persistent engine supply constraints and disruptions in aerostructure sourcing could hinder short-term momentum. CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledged that A320neo deliveries will remain impacted in the first half of 2024, requiring a recovery surge in the second half.

CFM Engine Supply Remains a Key Bottleneck

LEAP engine supply from CFM International — a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace — continues to restrict Airbus’ A320 production. In January 2024, Airbus delivered just 23 single-aisle aircraft, down from 28 a year earlier and well below December’s 102. Faury emphasized that production normalization is expected mid-year, but supply tightness will persist until then.

Spirit AeroSystems Delays Affect A350 and A220 Ramp-Up

Airbus plans to close its acquisition of select Spirit AeroSystems assets in the first half of 2024. However, ongoing operational difficulties at Spirit are already affecting A350 and A220 build rates. CFO Thomas Toepfer confirmed that full integration of Spirit’s work packages will take time. As a result, Airbus has postponed the A350 freighter entry into service to H2 2027, a full year later than planned.

Despite these pressures, Airbus remains confident in its long-term ramp-up trajectory. It reaffirmed targets of A220 rate 14 by 2026, A320 rate 75 by 2027, and A350 rate 12 by 2028, while A330 production stabilizes at four aircraft per month, with no current plans for increase.

Tariff Exposure Minimal Despite Transatlantic Trade Uncertainty

Airbus is assessing potential tariff exposure due to US-EU trade dynamics, but Faury believes the company’s interconnected supply ecosystem limits risk. "We are the first export customer of the US aerospace industry," he said, highlighting that tariffs would create a lose-lose scenario for both regions.