Airbus Reports 11% Rise in Deliveries, Targets 720 for the Year

Airbus has announced an 11% increase in deliveries during the first seven months of the year, totaling 381 aircraft. The European aircraft manufacturer confirmed the figures in its monthly commercial update, aligning with a previous Reuters report. Following a slow start in the year, deliveries have gained momentum since May, in line with Airbus’s goal of achieving 720 deliveries for the entire year.

Although Airbus reaffirmed its delivery target in its half-year earnings, it decided to drop an interim target to increase output of narrow-body jets to 65 per month by the end of 2024, up from the current level of around 47.

Additionally, Airbus revealed it secured 60 gross orders in July. Notable among these orders are agreements with Pegasus Airlines for 36 additional jets and Icelandair’s order for 13 A321XLR, Airbus’s latest single-aisle model.

During this year, Airbus has secured a total of 1,140 gross orders, or 1,101 after accounting for cancellations. Much of this demand stems from robust interest in India. The new orders also encompass 10 A350-900 long-haul jets from undisclosed buyers, along with an order from IAG for Iberia.

IAG confirmed its decision to convert options for six Boeing 787-10 aircraft held by British Airways and one Airbus A350-900 held by Iberia into firm orders. The company also acquired new options for an additional six 787-10 planes.

In its data analysis, Airbus also revealed the cancellation of three A350-900 jets. The identity of the buyer behind these cancellations remains undisclosed.

Approximately 7% of Airbus’s extensive order backlog, which nears 8,000 jets, remains unidentified. This is in addition to 17 privately owned planes that are still awaiting delivery.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, reuters.com, airbus.com