Airbus Increases Aircraft Production Amid Pandemic Recovery

In a significant move, Airbus has announced plans to boost aircraft production after having cut it back during the Covid pandemic. According to chief executive Guillaume Faury, the nine-month earnings reflect higher commercial aircraft deliveries and good performance in helicopters, despite charges linked to the reassessment of satellite development programs.

Notably, Airbus, like its US rival Boeing, earns revenue upon delivering aircraft to customers. In the July through September period, it saw a 22 percent increase in aircraft deliveries compared to the same quarter last year, totaling 172 aircraft. This brought the total number of aircraft delivered for the year to 488, with the company maintaining its target of delivering 720 commercial planes this year.

Before the pandemic, Airbus delivered a record 863 commercial aircraft in 2019. The company also upheld its outlook for an adjusted operating profit of 6 billion euros.

Following the Covid crisis that nearly halted international air travel in 2020, airlines have resumed ordering new aircraft, attracted by the significant fuel savings they offer. As a result, Airbus’ order book now stands at almost 8,000 aircraft, up from 7,482 just before the pandemic began.

However, supply chain constraints have led to frustrations in scaling up production. Airbus has booked charges of 400 million euros for estimated delivery delays. Despite these challenges, the company remains focused on driving the recovery of the aviation industry.