Airbus CEO Confirms 2025 Delivery Targets

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury provided an update on the company’s production and delivery plans, reaffirming its commitment to deliver approximately 820 commercial aircraft in 2025 despite ongoing challenges in engine production. Speaking to CNBC, Faury emphasized that Airbus remains “on track” with aircraft production. The company has been producing “gliders”—fully assembled airplanes without engines—while awaiting engine deliveries from CFM International and Pratt & Whitney. These delays, he noted, are largely due to quality issues and worker strikes affecting engine manufacturing. He expressed confidence that suppliers possess the capacity to meet expected production volumes, and he remains optimistic about timely deliveries for the latter part of the year.

In August 2025, Airbus delivered 61 aircraft, bringing its total for the year to 434. Comparatively, U.S. competitor Boeing delivered 57 planes in the same month and 385 in 2025 to date, indicating that Airbus continues to outpace Boeing in aircraft deliveries. Boeing has not issued delivery guidance for the year, whereas Airbus has consistently maintained its targets despite facing external pressures, including tariffs and supply chain disruptions.

Faury highlighted the impact of long-standing engine production delays in the aviation industry. Pratt & Whitney, owned by RTX, had reported in 2023 that manufacturing defects would affect hundreds of engines through 2027. Despite these obstacles, Airbus is confident that engine manufacturers will meet their commitments. The company’s strategy of producing gliders ensures that overall aircraft production remains on schedule, enabling Airbus to maintain momentum while awaiting the completion and delivery of engines.

Tariffs, particularly those imposed during U.S.-EU trade tensions, have posed challenges for the aircraft industry. However, under the current trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, the aircraft sector is exempt from the “reciprocal tariffs” initiated during the Trump administration. Faury described this exemption as “the right thing to do,” emphasizing the importance of predictable trade terms for global aviation manufacturing.

Faury also shared his broader concerns about the global economic environment. He underscored the aviation industry’s reliance on long-term planning, visibility, and predictability. Frequent changes in trade policies, supply chain disruptions, and market uncertainties create challenges in maintaining consistent production and delivery schedules. These factors, he said, necessitate constant adaptation, which can slow overall progress and affect strategic decision-making.

Airbus’ approach combines careful monitoring of supplier performance, proactive production strategies, and risk management to ensure that aircraft deliveries remain on target. By focusing on engine delivery schedules and maintaining production of gliders, Airbus aims to minimize disruptions while keeping its delivery promises to customers. The company’s confidence in the capabilities of engine suppliers, combined with strategic planning, forms the foundation for meeting the 2025 delivery goals despite external challenges.

Overall, Faury’s remarks underscore Airbus’ commitment to sustaining production targets and delivering aircraft on schedule. While engine production delays and economic uncertainties pose challenges, strategic planning, proactive engagement with suppliers, and favorable trade conditions provide Airbus with the tools to navigate the complexities of the global aviation market. By maintaining focus on key operational priorities, the company aims to achieve its 820-aircraft delivery target for 2025, reinforcing its position as a leading global aircraft manufacturer