Airbus Profit Slips as Deliveries Slow, Target Held
Airbus reported lower third-quarter earnings on fewer aircraft handed over, yet kept its goal of about 870 commercial deliveries for 2026.
Airbus reported lower third-quarter profit on 28 October, hit by fewer aircraft deliveries, but left its full-year target unchanged.
Adjusted EBIT for July to September fell 9% to €1.77 billion ($1.97 billion), from €1.9 billion ($2.1 billion) a year earlier. Revenue dropped 2%. Airbus pointed to a lower volume of commercial aircraft deliveries and a less favourable mix at both its commercial aircraft business and Airbus Helicopters. The integration of former Spirit AeroSystems work packages also weighed on the figure. A stronger showing at Airbus Defence and Space softened the decline.
Airbus said the 2% fall in third-quarter revenue mainly reflected the lower volume of commercial aircraft deliveries, partly offset by a higher services contribution. In the commercial segment alone, adjusted EBIT was down 12% on 2025.
Quality problems on two models
The quarter was marked by trouble with the A330neo and the A321neo. Airbus made no A330neo deliveries in June and July 2026. It handed over just one in August, to Starlux Airlines, after a quality issue affected production. In September, the company identified a quality issue affecting A321neos, which it later contained.
Monthly commercial deliveries came to 67 in July, 57 in August and 72 in September.
Nine months still ahead of last year
Over the first nine months, adjusted EBIT rose 8% to €4.49 billion ($5 billion), from €4.1 billion ($4.56 billion). Revenue climbed 7% to €50.6 billion ($56.3 billion), up from €47.4 billion ($52.8 billion).
"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," said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. He added: "Against a complex geopolitical and operating environment, we are focused on delivery while maintaining a steadfast focus on quality."
Airbus still aims to deliver around 870 commercial aircraft in 2026. It has handed over 547 so far, so it needs 323 more, or roughly 108 a month. Last year the company delivered 286 aircraft between October and December, including 136 in December alone.
Source: AeroTime