Updated Version 1 - Correction - Update 1 - Airbus Maintains Annual Targets, Bets on Surge in Deliveries by Year End

Analyst comments have been added in paragraphs 3 and 7.

Gianluca Lo Nostro/Joanna Plucinska/Florence Loeve

Reuters, October 28 - Airbus AIR.PA maintained its full-year performance forecast and production plan after releasing a mixed third-quarter report on Wednesday. Investors are now focused on whether the company can achieve its annual aircraft delivery target.

The world’s largest aircraft manufacturer stuck to its goal of delivering approximately 870 aircraft this year—which would be an all-time record—and kept its production targets unchanged. In order to achieve this, deliveries in the fourth quarter would need to hit a historic high.

“Everyone will be watching closely to see if they can reach that 870 figure, or if at some point in December they indicate they won’t reach it,” said Ronan Murphy, Director at Alton Aviation Consultancy. “They certainly believe they can still get close to the target.”

Airbus said adjusted operating profit for the three months to end-September was 1.77 billion euros ($2.0 billion), roughly in line with the company’s own analyst poll. Revenue dropped 2% to 17.47 billion euros, below estimates of 17.91 billion euros.

Airbus typically delivers more aircraft in the final months of the year, but in the past it has had to lower its targets toward the end of the year after production interruptions caused by engine shortages and other supply chain constraints.

Airbus said these pressures have begun to ease recently.

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“In a complex geopolitical and operational environment, we’re focused on deliveries while remaining committed to quality. Our plans are clear and the teams are fully engaged to achieve our targets,” CEO Guillaume Faury said in a statement.

Murphy cautioned that while supply chain pressures have eased, they have not disappeared entirely.

“Delays have improved, but compared with the initial plan, there are still delays,” Murphy said.

Since January, free cash flow after customer financing was minus 1.27 billion euros, reflecting the rise in inventories as Airbus prepares for an increase in deliveries in the second half of the year, ramping up production for year-end handovers.

Rival Boeing (BA.N) also highlighted production delays (link) and supply chain challenges on Tuesday. CEO Calhoun said the U.S. plane maker will not meet its key production and delivery targets this year.

In terms of deliveries this year, Airbus is still ahead of its U.S. peer: so far in 2026, it has delivered 547 aircraft, compared to 475 from Boeing.

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