Airbus confirms delivery targets, but margins face pressure
Airbus confirmed its annual aircraft delivery targets but warned that third-quarter profitability may be impacted by lower deliveries and quality issues, causing its stock to rise.
Airbus has reaffirmed its target to deliver 870 aircraft this year but cautioned that profitability in the third quarter of 2026 could be affected by reduced deliveries and quality challenges. The company's stock saw a modest increase of approximately 1.5% on the Paris stock exchange following the announcements.
The aircraft manufacturer delivered 196 commercial aircraft in the third quarter, a slight decrease compared to the same period last year. Airbus indicated this reduction would likely weigh on profitability, particularly for wide-body aircraft, due to less absorption of fixed costs. Research and development expenses are also expected to rise over the full fiscal year.
Additional impacts are anticipated from operations acquired from Spirit AeroSystems in 2026. While helicopter volumes are projected to remain stable, the product mix is expected to be less favorable. The Defence and Space division is forecast to continue its growth, albeit at a slower pace than in the first half of the year.
Airbus anticipates its cash flow development to follow typical seasonal patterns, with inventory levels remaining high, partly due to undelivered wide-body aircraft. The company is scheduled to release its nine-month results on October 28. Lars Wagner, head of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, reiterated confidence in achieving the 870-delivery goal.