Airbus Deliveries and Orders Update

PARIS (Reuters) – Airbus deliveries fell in August after a sharp spike in July, according to the European planemaker’s announcement on Friday. Analysts noted this decline challenges Airbus to achieve solid year-on-year growth to meet its annual target.

The company reported delivering 47 aircraft in August, down from 77 in July, bringing the total to 447 for the year so far. Airbus aims for 770 deliveries by year-end, having revised its target downward during the summer due to delays in receiving engines, cabin equipment, and other components. Industry sources indicate that the supply chain remains fragile.

According to Jefferies analyst Chloe Lemarie, “August is typically a weaker month for Airbus in terms of deliveries,” and emphasized that the planemaker needs to increase deliveries by 7% monthly compared to last year’s rate to meet its 2023 target.

In August, Airbus secured 46 new orders which included 30 A330neos previously announced for Cathay Pacific, as well as an unusual order from a single “private customer” for three A350-900s and three A320neos valued at over $1 billion at catalogue prices, generally used for exclusive purchases without commercial airline discounts.

Although Airbus declined to comment, it typically employs the “private customer” label for jets intended for VIP use or government operations. Analysts indicate that demand for such aircraft remains robust in the Middle East.

Many commercial airlines often opt to withhold their identities when ordering jets to protect their marketing strategies from competitors. These undisclosed deals are classified accordingly in Airbus’s monthly order and delivery data.

So far this year, Airbus has secured a total of 432 gross orders, translating to a net total of 413 after cancellations.