Airbus Faces Steep December Goal to Hit 2024 Target
Airbus is staring down a significant challenge as it aims to meet its 2024 delivery target of “around 770” aircraft. The planemaker’s November numbers have set a high bar for December, requiring an exceptional push to fulfill CEO Guillaume Faury’s ambitions.
On December 6, 2024, Airbus reported delivering 84 aircraft in November, bringing the company’s total deliveries for the year so far to 643. Back in July 2024, the European aerospace giant lowered its full-year goal from 800 planes to approximately 770, citing persistent supply chain constraints such as engine shortages and other critical component delays.
To achieve this revised target, Airbus must deliver an estimated 127 aircraft in December alone. By comparison, December 2023 saw the company deliver 112 jets—already an impressive figure—which pushed the year’s total to 735 units, exceeding prior forecasts and marking an 11% increase from 2022. During that year, Airbus originally aimed for “around 720” deliveries and needed just 97 aircraft in the final month to reach that goal. The company managed to surpass expectations by delivering 15 more planes than anticipated. Now, it must outdo even last year’s successful December surge.
November 2024’s tally also included several significant milestones. Malaysia Airlines received its first Airbus A330neo, adding a next-generation widebody to its long-haul lineup. Emirates, a global airline powerhouse, finally took delivery of its first A350, broadening its fleet diversity. Ethiopian Airlines introduced its first A350-1000, reinforcing its status as a leading African carrier with state-of-the-art aircraft. Another noteworthy delivery was to Icelandair, which took ownership of its first Airbus aircraft—a fuel-efficient A321LR—marking a strategic shift for an airline long associated with Boeing’s single-aisle jets.
Additionally, key customers such as United Airlines (nine aircraft), Air Lease Corporation (four units), IndiGo (seven aircraft), and China Southern Airlines (five aircraft) contributed to November’s tally. In total, Airbus posted 30 new orders from undisclosed buyers during the month, including a mix of A321neos, A330neos, and A350-900s. These new commitments signal sustained confidence in Airbus’s product lineup, even as the manufacturer battles supply chain bottlenecks.
Looking ahead, the question remains: Can Airbus replicate or even surpass December 2023’s performance under more challenging conditions? The market continues to recover from a turbulent pandemic period, and airlines are eager to refresh fleets with more efficient, eco-friendly aircraft. However, meeting or exceeding the 2024 target hinges on the availability of components, timely deliveries from suppliers, and the swift execution of final assembly processes.
Airbus’s progress will be closely watched by investors, airline customers, and industry analysts. While the planemaker is no stranger to ambitious end-of-year pushes, the pressure is now on to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in the face of ongoing supply chain hurdles. Successfully delivering around 770 aircraft in 2024 would reinforce Airbus’s reputation for steady growth and strong partnerships with airlines worldwide, ultimately setting the stage for continued momentum into 2025 and beyond.
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