Airbus Faces New Aircraft Delivery Delays Impacting Airlines Until 2028

TOULOUSE- Airbus has notified airlines, including Air Lease Corp, that the delays in aircraft deliveries will extend into 2027 and 2028 due to ongoing disruptions in the supply chain.

Airports such as Los Angeles International (LAX) and London Heathrow (LHR) are expected to experience setbacks as Airbus addresses the persistent shortages of engines and structural components, according to various industry sources.

Airbus has faced production challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant disruptions in global supply chains.

While there have been minor improvements, major bottlenecks, especially with respect to engine supply and critical aircraft structures, continue to impede progress.

This situation was reinforced during a recent customer briefing at Airbus’s headquarters in Toulouse, where the company acknowledged a high likelihood of delays extending over multiple years.

Executives from various global airlines confirmed to Reuters that Airbus has communicated delays for aircraft that were originally scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028.

These warnings have often been delivered incrementally, with updated schedules being released gradually rather than all at once.

A leasing executive indicated that aircraft deliveries in the latter part of the decade are already being marked for six-month delays.

Leasing companies, including Air Lease Corp, have publicly acknowledged delays affecting the A320neo and A321neo families, which are two of Airbus’s most highly requested models.

Despite generally having more flexible delivery schedules than airlines, lessors are increasingly struggling with fleet planning, thereby exacerbating the widespread shortage of available aircraft.

Targets Under Scrutiny

Industry experts note that it is uncommon for manufacturers to predict delivery disruptions three years in advance.

This early warning signifies both Airbus’s ambitious production goals and the intense pressure it faces from airlines seeking clarity on future fleet availability.

According to CEO Guillaume Faury, Airbus’s target of increasing production of its A320 family jets to 75 aircraft per month by 2027 remains on track.

However, current production rates are hovering around 60 per month. This has led analysts and customers to question whether the company can realistically meet its goals within the outlined timeframe, given the ongoing uncertainties with key suppliers.

An Airbus spokesperson highlighted the company’s continuous cooperation with suppliers to lessen the effects of current supply chain issues on its customers.

However, engine manufacturer CFM, which is co-owned by GE Aerospace and Safran, has yet to finalize a supply schedule that matches Airbus’s growth objectives, complicating the situation further.

Monthly Delivery Challenges

So far this month, Airbus has delivered only 32 aircraft and is projected to exceed 40 by the end of the month, which is significantly lower than the 53 aircraft delivered in May of the previous year. From January to April, deliveries saw a year-on-year decline of 5%.

Despite these hurdles, Airbus has reiterated its annual goal of delivering 820 aircraft for 2025, marking a 7% increase compared to 2024.

However, company officials acknowledge that engine supply challenges may worsen in the immediate future before improvements can be realized.

Safran recently noted progress in addressing supply issues, suggesting that CFM could regain momentum later in 2025.

The ongoing difficulties indicate that both short and long-term aircraft availability will remain strained, further intensifying the global aircraft shortage and complicating fleet expansion efforts for airlines and leasing firms alike.

Stay connected with us for further updates. Additionally, follow us on social media for the latest news.

Join us on Telegram Group for the latest aviation updates. Also, follow us on Google News.