Airbus delays rollout of A350F due to supply chain issues

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Airbus delays rollout of A350F due to supply chain issues

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Guillaume Faury CEO of Airbus | Airbus Website

By Sky Industry News

Feb 24, 2025

Airbus is experiencing ongoing logistical and supply chain challenges due to issues with Spirit AeroSystems, affecting the production of certain aircraft types. These difficulties will notably delay the entry into service of the Airbus A350F until 2027. Despite these setbacks, Airbus maintains a generally positive outlook.

Spirit AeroSystems, responsible for producing aerostructures for various commercial aircraft, including parts of the Airbus A350 XWB, is facing financial struggles. One of its US plants produces central fuselage sections for widebody aircraft. As part of a buy-back deal from Boeing, Spirit aims to offload its European activities to Airbus.

Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, stated: "Specific supply chain challenges, notably with Spirit AeroSystems, are currently putting pressure on the ramp-up of the A350 and the A220. On the A350, the Company continues to target 12 [per month] in 2028 and is adjusting the entry-into-service of the A350 freighter variant, which is now expected in H2 2027. On the A220, the Company continues to target a monthly production rate of 14 aircraft in 2026."

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The timeline for launching the Airbus A350F has shifted multiple times since its official launch in 2021. Initially planned to enter service by late 2025, it was revised for first flights in 2025 and then pushed back to early 2026. The most recent adjustment moves its entry into service date to late 2027.

Despite delays with the A350F, Airbus has received approximately 63 orders for this model from notable customers like Air France and Singapore Airlines. Meanwhile, other aircraft programs continue progressing; Faury noted that "the A320 Family program continues to ramp up towards a rate of 75 aircraft per month in 2027," while stabilizing monthly production at around four for the A330.

Regarding their outlook for 2025, Faury mentioned: "Guidance includes the impact of integrating certain Spirit AeroSystems work packages on its EBIT Adjusted and Free Cash Flow before Customer Financing." Still aiming high amid these challenges, Airbus plans to deliver around 820 commercial aircraft this year with an EBIT Adjusted near €7 billion. Compensation from Spirit is expected to help mitigate negative impacts on free cash flow.