Airbus eyes 870 jet deliveries in 2026 as record backlog underscores airline demand

February 19, 2026 in Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Airbus posts record 2025 results and targets 870 aircraft deliveries in 2026, as strong airline demand in conflict with engine supply constraints.

 

European planemaker Airbus has set an ambitious target of around 870 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2026 after closing 2025 with record financial results and a swelling order backlog that highlights sustained global airline demand.

The manufacturer delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025, up from 766 the previous year, helping lift revenues by 6 percent to €73.4 billion. Adjusted EBIT rose sharply to €7.1 billion, reflecting stronger deliveries, improved hedge rates and lower research and development expenses. Net income climbed to €5.2 billion, while free cash flow before customer financing reached €4.6 billion.

For airlines, leasing firms and suppliers across Africa and the Middle East however, the headline figure is the backlog of 8,754 aircraft at year-end, the highest in the company’s history. Gross commercial orders reached 1,000 aircraft, signalling that carriers are still betting heavily on fleet renewal and traffic growth despite supply chain turbulence.

Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury described 2025 as a landmark year, citing strong demand across commercial aviation, defence and helicopters. Yet he acknowledged that the production ramp-up continues to be constrained by ongoing engine shortages from Pratt & Whitney, a bottleneck that has forced Airbus to recalibrate some of its narrowbody output timelines.

The A320 Family programme remains central to the growth story. Airbus now expects to reach a production rate of between 70 and 75 aircraft per month by the end of 2027, stabilising at 75 thereafter. That trajectory matters for African carriers modernising fleets with fuel-efficient single-aisle jets amid rising traffic and environmental pressures.

Meanwhile, the A220 programme is targeting a monthly rate of 13 aircraft by 2028, while the A350 is set to reach rate 12 in 2028. These widebody plans will be closely watched by long-haul operators rebuilding intercontinental networks, particularly as global travel continues its steady recovery.

Beyond commercial aircraft, Airbus Helicopters posted a 13 percent revenue increase, while Defence and Space swung back to profitability with €798 million in adjusted EBIT, reflecting stronger volumes and the early impact of restructuring efforts.

Financially, the company’s balance sheet remains robust. Gross cash stood at €27.2 billion at the end of 2025, with a net cash position of €12.2 billion. Reflecting confidence in forward earnings, the board has proposed a dividend of €3.20 per share, up from the previous year.

Looking ahead, Airbus forecasts adjusted EBIT of around €7.5 billion in 2026 and free cash flow before customer financing of approximately €4.5 billion, assuming no major disruptions to global trade, supply chains or air traffic.

For the aviation industry, once again, demand is not the problem but getting OEMs to translate record order books into delivered aircraft amid persistent engine and supply chain constraints. If Airbus achieves its 870-delivery target in 2026, it would mark another step toward restoring production stability in a market still defined by constrained capacity and long wait times for new jets.