Airbus aims to deliver 770 aircraft this year, yet challenges loom. In 2023, the manufacturer successfully delivered 735 aircraft, representing an 11% increase from 661 in 2022. However, this total still falls short of the pre-pandemic benchmark of 863 deliveries in 2019. Initially, Airbus set a lofty target of 800 deliveries, but ongoing supply chain issues forced a reduction to 770. As of September, the company had delivered 497 aircraft, leaving 273 to be delivered in the final quarter.

The fourth quarter often witnesses a surge in deliveries, as both Airbus and Boeing navigate a combined backlog of nearly 15,000 aircraft. While it seems deliveries should occur steadily throughout the year, historical trends suggest otherwise. Typically, OEMs rush to meet expectations in the year’s final months.

Airbus recently published its September Orders and Deliveries report, indicating that the company remains organized yet uncertain about achieving the 770 aircraft goal. In September alone, Airbus delivered 50 aircraft to 29 customers and secured 235 new orders, maintaining a backlog of 8,749 aircraft. Comparatively, in September 2022, it delivered 55 aircraft and had a backlog of 7,992.

Year-to-date, Airbus delivered 497 aircraft to 77 customers from January to September, slightly up from 488 aircraft delivered to 78 customers during the same period in 2022. The company needed to deliver 173 aircraft in the last quarter of 2023 to reach a total of 661 deliveries. This year, it must increase output to deliver 273 aircraft in Q4.

As Airbus’s backlog continues to grow, questions arise regarding its capacity to fulfill the target. The backlog increased by nearly 10% year-on-year, standing over 2,500 aircraft ahead of Boeing’s backlog as of August. At the end of September, the backlog comprised 7,806 single-aisle aircraft, 224 A330s, and 719 A350s.

Airbus has also seen an uptick in A350 widebody orders, benefiting from Boeing’s production uncertainties. The backlog for A350s now includes 719 aircraft, which comprises 450 A350-900s, 214 A350-1000s, and 55 A350F Freighters. Major customers like Turkish Airlines and Emirates place significant orders, indicating strong demand for the A350 series.

Ultimately, the coming months will reveal whether Airbus can meet its ambitious delivery targets. As the company navigates challenges, it remains poised to fulfill market demands for a variety of aircraft.

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