Airbus targets 900 deliveries in 2026 after strong June

Airbus has set an internal goal of surpassing 900 deliveries for the first time in 2026, even as it keeps its official full-year guidance at 870 aircraft, according to Reuters.

The European planemaker handed over 89 jets in June. June's handovers pushed Airbus's cumulative first-half tally to 351 jets — a 15% gain over the first six months of 2025 and the best opening-half result the company has recorded since 2019. Behind the June acceleration, sources said, were two temporary tailwinds: progress in clearing a backlog of China handovers that had been held up, and fewer bottlenecks from engine suppliers. Airbus declined to comment to Reuters on deliveries ahead of an official monthly data release on Wednesday.

With the official 870-unit target still on the books, the remaining gap to be closed before year-end stands at approximately 520 aircraft, according to Bloomberg. Deliveries typically accelerate sharply in December. The sources told Reuters the company expects roughly 80 handovers in July.

Aircraft deliveries are a key factor in determining revenue and cash generation for Airbus. The company has faced a difficult stretch in recent quarters — first-quarter adjusted operating profit fell 52% to €300 million as commercial deliveries declined, with supply constraints from engine maker Pratt & Whitney weighing on output. Reaching a monthly rate of 75 A320-family aircraft has proven elusive, with Airbus having deferred that milestone multiple times as post-pandemic strains on components and engine supply persisted.

The first-half rebound has been fueled partly by renewed momentum in China. Chinese carriers and leasing firms have placed roughly 200 orders with Airbus so far this year, on top of approximately 150 placed across 2025. China Eastern Airlines signed a purchase agreement for 25 A330neo widebody jets in late June, following a separate order for 101 A320neo narrowbodies in March.

Despite the improved pace, supply disruptions remain a factor. Sources said that Airbus sees a credible path to maintaining its momentum through the back half of the year, even as supply chain disruptions have not fully subsided. The company is set to release official June delivery figures on Wednesday.