Airbus sees profits rise despite lower deliveries amid supply chain challenges

Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, stated: "The commercial performance in the first half of 2025 has been strong across the Company. Our H1 financials reflect transformation progress in our Defence and Space division and the lower commercial aircraft deliveries compared to a year ago. On tariffs, the recent political agreement between the EU and the US to revert to a zero-tariff approach for civil aircraft is a welcome development for our industry. Our 2025 guidance, which continues to exclude the impact of tariffs, remains unchanged."

In terms of orders, Airbus secured 494 gross commercial aircraft orders in H1 2025—up from 327 during the same period last year—helped by activity at June’s Paris Air Show. After cancellations, net orders were 402 aircraft as of June 30, with an order backlog at 8,754 commercial jets.

Deliveries fell short compared with last year; Airbus handed over 306 commercial aircraft between January and June 2025—including 41 A220s, 232 A320 family jets, 12 A330s, and 21 A350s—down from 323 units delivered during H1 last year.

Faury attributed this shortfall mainly to "engine supply issues on the A320 program," describing the operating environment as "complex and fast-changing." Despite ongoing supply chain issues affecting much of aviation manufacturing (https://simpleflying.com/airbus-aircraft-delivery-delays-could-last-3-years/), Airbus said it remains focused on long-term production targets: aiming for an output rate of 75 A320-family jets per month by 2027; stabilizing A330 production at four per month now with a target of five per month by 2029; advancing toward building fourteen A220s monthly by 2026; and seeking twelve A350s per month by 2028.

Challenges remain regarding supply chain reliability—especially concerning Spirit AeroSystems—but Airbus reports progress in acquiring key supplier sites in Kinston (North Carolina) and St. Nazaire (France). The acquisition is expected to close in Q4 this year.

Looking ahead, Faury confirmed that full-year guidance remains unchanged: around 820 commercial aircraft deliveries are expected alongside adjusted EBIT near $7.9 billion (€7 billion). This forecast excludes tariff impacts but factors in integrating certain Spirit AeroSystems work packages—including six sites plus Prestwick’s wing facility—which should be finalized later this year.

The company cautioned that its outlook assumes no major disruptions occur within global trade or economic conditions.