Airbus delivery slowdown squeezes profits, full-year target unchanged
Airbus reported a decline in third-quarter profits, partly due to slower commercial aircraft deliveries; however, the planemaker left its full-year target unchanged.
On October 28, 2026, Airbus delivered its nine-month and third quarter results, covering July to September 2026, when issues arose with both the A330neo and A321neo.
Airbus’ EBIT Adjusted figures for Q3 fell 9% compared with the same period last year, dropping to €1.77 billion ($1.97 billion) from €1.9 billion ($2.1 billion).
Airbus explained that the 9% decrease mainly reflected the “lower volume of commercial aircraft deliveries and a less favorable mix both at Commercial Aircraft and Airbus Helicopters, as well as the integration of the former Spirit AeroSystems work packages”.
MonthAircraft deliveredRunning totalJanuary1919February3554March60114April67181May81262June89351July67418August57475September72547Total (Jan–Sep)547547“Those were slightly offset by a stronger performance at Airbus Defence and Space,” Airbus said.
Q3 2026 revenues also decreased by 2%, which Airbus said mainly reflected the “lower volume of commercial aircraft deliveries partially offset by a higher services contribution”.
When only looking at Airbus’ commercial segment during Q3, EBIT Adjusted decreased by 12% from 2025.
In September 2026, Airbus delivered 72 commercial aircraft, while in August the company delivered 57 and in July, 67 were delivered.
A330neo and A321neo issues
Airbus made no A330neo deliveries in June and July 2026, and only one, to Starlux Airlines, in August 2026, after a quality issue affected production.
In September 2026, Airbus also identified a quality issue affecting A321neos, which was subsequently contained.
Airbus’ nine-month EBIT Adjusted reflected more positively, showing an 8% increase from €4.1 billion ($4.56 billion) in 2025, to €4.49 billion ($5 billion) this year.
Alex Cheban / Wikimedia CommonsNine-month revenues increased 7% year-on-year to €50.6 billion ($56.3 billion) from €47.4 billion ($52.8 billion) in 2025.
“These nine-month results reflect the upward trajectory of our civil and military ramp-up, supported by strong demand for our products across the entire portfolio,” Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said. “Against a complex geopolitical and operating environment, we are focused on delivery while maintaining a steadfast focus on quality. Our plan is clear, and our teams are onboard to meet our objectives.”
870 delivery target remains
Airbus also reaffirmed its ambition to deliver around 870 commercial aircraft in 2026.
Over the course of the year so far, Airbus has delivered 547 aircraft and therefore requires 323 further deliveries – around 108 per month.
Airbus has typically performed very strongly in the last three months of the year. Between October and December 2025, the company delivered 286 aircraft, including 136 in December alone.
Read Airbus’ full financial results on its website.
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Airbus reported a decline in third-quarter profits, partly due to slower commercial aircraft deliveries; however, the planemaker left…
The post Airbus delivery slowdown squeezes profits, full-year target unchanged appeared first on AeroTime.
