Airbus Sets Ambitious 2025 Target of 820 Aircraft Deliveries Amid Supply Chain Headwinds

Airbus

LEAP Engine Supply and Spirit AeroSystems Integration Pose Near-Term Challenges

Airbus, the European aerospace giant, has announced a 2025 delivery target of approximately 820 commercial aircraft, up from a revised 770-unit goal for 2024.

The announcement, made during the company’s annual press conference, reflects long-term confidence, even as supply chain disruptions continue to pose risks in the short term.

One of the main bottlenecks remains the supply of LEAP engines from CFM International, a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace.

These delays continue to hamper A320neo production, especially during the first half of 2025, according to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. To compensate, Airbus plans to accelerate deliveries in the second half of the year, assuming engine supply conditions improve.

Spirit AeroSystems Deal Delays A350 Freighter, Affects Ramp-Up

Airbus also faces challenges linked to its pending acquisition of select Spirit AeroSystems sites and work packages.

The transaction is expected to close in H1 2025, but current part shortages from Spirit are already impacting production for A350 and A220 models, said CFO Thomas Toepfer.

The full integration of Spirit assets post-acquisition will take time, contributing to Airbus’ decision to delay the A350 freighter variant entry into service from 2026 to H2 2027.

This shift reflects the reality that operational issues at Spirit could persist even after the deal closes.

In January 2025, Airbus delivered just 25 aircraft, including 23 narrowbody jets and 2 widebody A350s, down from 28 single-aisle jets in January 2024 and 102 aircraft in December 2024.

This slowdown underscores the fragility of current output levels, especially for A220s and A320neo family aircraft.

Long-Term Outlook Remains Strong Despite Tariff and Supply Risks

Despite near-term turbulence, Airbus reaffirmed its production ramp-up goals:

• A220 at rate 14 by 2026

• A320 at rate 75 by 2027

• A350 at rate 12 by 2028

The A330 production rate will stabilize at four per month, with no immediate plan for increases.

On trade concerns, CEO Faury noted that tariffs from the U.S. are unlikely to significantly affect Airbus due to its integrated transatlantic footprint. He emphasized that Airbus is a major export customer for the U.S. aerospace industry, highlighting the mutual dependency across the Atlantic.