The drop in deliveries does not only reflect an isolated problem, but a more complex context for the aerospace industry. Inspecting panels and detecting defects carries additional costs and delays in the assembly line that can have a short-term impact. At the same time, it prolongs the pressure on Airbus amid strong demand from airlines keen to renew and expand their fleets. The challenge is immense: maintaining production rates, ensuring the quality of each aircraft and honouring commitments within such a tight calendar.
Despite this setback, Airbus is holding firm on its long-term financial objectives. The company continues to forecast an adjusted EBIT of around 7 billion euros and a free cash flow before customer financing of close to 4.5 billion euros. This suggests that, although production has stumbled, the manufacturer remains confident in the strength of its business model and in its ability to recover its delivery rhythm. Traditionally, the final stretch of the year is intense for aircraft manufacturers, who strive to close deliveries and meet targets before the financial year ends. In 2024, Airbus reached some 766 deliveries. However, the current issues affecting the A320 family make the schedule for 2025 much more demanding. Pressure now focuses on its capacity to assemble, test and hand over more than a hundred aircraft in just a few weeks, something that the company will not find easy.
Beyond the numbers, the current situation highlights strategic decisions and structural challenges. On the one hand, market demand remains high: many airlines need to modernise their fleets, respond to the rebound in air traffic and secure new aircraft in the short term. On the other hand, the supply chain is under strain: suppliers have to deliver high-quality components within very tight deadlines, and any disruption can jeopardise the entire schedule. Managing these risks is crucial if Airbus wants not only to meet its 2025 targets but also to preserve its reputation as a reliable manufacturer in the long term.
The fact that the company has lowered its delivery target does not mean it is trimming its ambition. In parallel, Airbus is already planning to ramp up its output in the coming years. Its medium-term goal is to reach production rates of up to 75 single-aisle jets per month, including A320 and related variants, which would represent a very high output and a much stronger capacity to respond to demand. But to achieve this, it must secure stability in its supplier base, quality in all components and efficiency on its assembly lines.
The close of 2025 is shaping up to be a stress test for Airbus. The company must balance speed with rigorous quality control, fulfil commitments without compromising safety, and respond to demand without putting its reputation at risk. If it manages to get through this intense December successfully, it will be able to push ahead with its growth plans with renewed credibility. If not, the impact could spill over into 2026, with delayed contracts, postponed deliveries and increasingly impatient customers. For now, Airbus enters this decisive month with more than 130 aircraft still to hand over and its sights firmly set on meeting its promise, even as the margin for error grows ever slimmer.
