Airbus holds annual targets, bets on year-end delivery surge
Published Thu, Oct 29, 2026 · 01:13 AM
[LONDON/GDANSK/PARIS] Airbus maintained its full-year forecasts and production plans on Wednesday (Oct 28) after reporting mixed third-quarter earnings, leaving investors focused on whether it can hit its annual aircraft-delivery target.
The world’s largest planemaker stuck to its target of delivering around 870 aircraft this year, which would be its highest tally ever, and left production goals unchanged.
It will need a record Q4 to reach that mark.
Airbus said adjusted operating profit reached 1.77 billion euros (US$2 billion) in the three months to Sep 30, broadly matching analysts’ estimate in a poll compiled by the company.
Revenue fell 2 per cent to 17.47 billion euros, below the estimate of 17.91 billion euros.
Airbus traditionally delivers more aircraft in the final months of the year, but has previously been forced to cut delivery targets late in the year as engine shortages and other supply-chain constraints disrupted production.
Those pressures have recently begun to ease.
“Against a complex geopolitical and operating environment, we are focused on delivery while maintaining a steadfast focus on quality,” CEO Guillaume Faury said in a statement.
“Our plan is clear, and our teams are on board to meet our objectives.”
Free cash flow before customer financing since January was at minus 1.27 billion euros, reflecting higher inventories as Airbus prepared for a stronger delivery performance later in the year and ramped up production for year-end deliveries.
Rival Boeing highlighted production delays and supply-chain challenges on Tuesday, with CEO Kelly Ortberg saying the US planemaker would miss key production and jet delivery targets this year.
Airbus remains ahead of its US rival in deliveries this year, having handed over 574 aircraft so far in 2026 compared with Boeing’s 475. REUTERS
