Airbus CEO Addresses Delays in Annual Deliveries

Airbus CEO Addresses Delays in Annual Deliveries

Airbus is currently grappling with significant challenges in meeting its annual aircraft delivery targets, as supply chain disruptions and equipment shortages continue to impede production. Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, spoke on June 11, 2025, in Toulouse ahead of the Paris Air Show, attributing the slow start to the year primarily to engine supply issues and unforeseen bottlenecks in cabin equipment, notably lavatories.

Supply Chain Disruptions and Production Bottlenecks

Scherer disclosed that nearly 40 completed aircraft remain grounded due to missing engines supplied by CFM International. “We are missing engines from CFM International. We have nearly 40 gliders, as we call them, parked at our sites,” he explained, referring to aircraft awaiting engines at Airbus facilities in Toulouse and Hamburg. He emphasized that without these delays, deliveries would be “slightly higher than currently forecast.”

The delays have had a tangible impact on Airbus’ delivery figures. In the first five months of 2025, Airbus delivered 243 aircraft, falling short of the pace required to meet its annual target of 820 aircraft. Deliveries in May 2025 declined by 4% compared to the same month in 2024, while year-to-date deliveries are down 5% from the previous year. The broader commercial aviation sector is also under pressure, with only 359 aircraft delivered in the first four months of 2025 against a forecasted 1,430.

Airlines have expressed growing frustration over these delays. The CEO of Flyadeal described the situation as “inexcusable,” highlighting the increasing concerns among carriers that depend on timely aircraft deliveries to support their expansion plans.

Outlook and Industry Context

Despite these setbacks, Scherer remains cautiously optimistic. He urged against drawing broad conclusions from monthly figures, noting a gradual increase in engine output from CFM. “The reason we have not changed our outlook for the year is because we believe that between now and the end of the year we will get the engines,” he told reporters, maintaining confidence that the annual delivery target remains attainable.

Airbus attributes the delay in Leap engines to disruptions in the supply of turbine blades from a subcontractor, compounded by strikes at Safran, which co-owns CFM with GE Aerospace. Scherer also acknowledged that bottlenecks in cabin equipment, particularly lavatories, are affecting deliveries of wide-body aircraft such as the A330 and A350. “It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but right now the biggest bottleneck we’re facing on wide-body aircraft, especially the A350, is the lavatories,” he said.

Industry analysts observe that both Airbus and Boeing continue to face challenges in ramping up production rates and are expected to lag behind market demand for the foreseeable future, further constraining growth in the commercial aviation sector.

Delivery Figures and Future Prospects

Airbus’ monthly deliveries in 2025 have varied, with 25 aircraft delivered to 17 customers in January, 40 to 25 customers in February, 71 to 37 customers in March, 56 to 33 customers in April, and 51 to 32 customers in May. By comparison, Airbus delivered 53 aircraft in May 2024 and 63 in May 2023. Despite ongoing difficulties, Airbus continues to uphold its annual delivery target, relying on anticipated improvements in the supply chain in the coming months.