Airbus Faces Delivery Challenge: Can It Meet Its 2025 Target?

Airbus faces a critical December as it pursues a revised delivery target of 790 commercial aircraft for 2025, down from the originally announced 820. The adjustment, confirmed on December 3, 2025, stems from a supplier quality issue affecting fuselage panels on the A320 Family—one of aviation’s most widely produced aircraft families.

With 657 aircraft delivered through November 2025, following 72 deliveries in that month alone, Airbus must complete 133 more aircraft deliveries to meet its revised annual goal. This would require near-record monthly performance, as the company achieved its highest monthly total of 138 aircraft in December 2019, with 123 delivered in December 2024.

The fuselage panel defect, discovered in December 2025, triggered inspections across the production network affecting hundreds of aircraft. Over 240 jets currently in Airbus assembly lines require inspection, effectively eliminating any possibility of reaching the original 820-delivery target.

While the revised 790-aircraft target represents a significant reduction, it would still represent solid year-over-year growth compared to 2024’s 766 deliveries and 2023’s 735. However, it remains substantially below pre-pandemic production levels, when Airbus delivered 863 aircraft in 2019.

Industry analysts note that even achieving 790 deliveries would be challenging. At the end of October 2025, Airbus had delivered only 585 aircraft, making the pace required for the final two months ambitious regardless of the supplier issue.

On the order front, Airbus received 75 gross orders in November 2025, demonstrating continued market demand despite manufacturing challenges. Notable orders came from IndiGo, Etihad Airways, Air China Cargo, and Silk Way West Airlines. An undisclosed customer also ordered eight A350-1000s and two A320neos, while another buyer placed orders for 13 A320neos and seven A321neos.

The fuselage panel quality issue underscores ongoing supply chain pressures within the aerospace industry. Airbus has emphasized its commitment to maintaining quality standards while addressing delivery commitments, a balance that will define the company’s performance through year-end.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764932446946-1174