Full Breakdown
Airbus Faces Delivery Challenges Amid Industrial Glitches
12/5/2025, 4:55:32 PM
November Delivery Figures and Revised Goals
Airbus delivered 72 aircraft in November 2025, bringing its total deliveries for the year to 657. This figure represents a decline from 78 deliveries in October and 84 in November 2024. The drop in deliveries is attributed to an industrial glitch, as noted by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. To meet its newly revised target of 790 aircraft for the year, Airbus must deliver a near-record 133 planes in December.
Quality Issues and Production Challenges
The decline in November deliveries coincided with quality concerns regarding metal fuselage panels on some of Airbus's A320 family jets. This issue arose shortly after the company issued a recall to address a computer bug. These production challenges have compounded the difficulties Airbus faces in achieving its delivery targets.
Adjusted Delivery Targets
On December 3, Airbus announced a 4% reduction in its full-year commercial delivery target, adjusting it from around 820 jets to "around 790." The term "around" is defined by Airbus as allowing for a margin of error of 20 aircraft. Despite these setbacks, the company has maintained its financial goals for the year.
Order Book Status
In November, Airbus secured 75 new orders, bringing its total for the year to 797, or a net of 700 after accounting for cancellations. While Airbus continues to lead in deliveries compared to its main competitor, Boeing, which reported a net of 782 orders from January to October, it is lagging in new orders.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics have pointed to the recent industrial glitches and quality issues as indicative of deeper problems within Airbus's production processes. The reliance on a Spanish supplier for fuselage components has raised concerns about supply chain management and quality control.
Official Statements & Responses
Airbus has publicly acknowledged the challenges it faces, with CEO Guillaume Faury emphasizing the need to address the quality issues swiftly to meet upcoming delivery targets. The company remains committed to its financial objectives despite the operational setbacks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Airbus has to deliver a near-record 133 planes in December to meet a newly revised 2025 goal of 790.” — Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus
What's Next
As Airbus approaches the end of the year, the focus will be on ramping up production to meet the December delivery target. The company is expected to implement measures to resolve the quality issues and improve its supply chain reliability moving forward.
