Airbus Sets Ambitious December Delivery Goal for 2024

Airbus Faces Challenging Delivery Target for December 2024

Airbus is on a tight deadline as it aims to meet CEO Guillaume Faury’s ambitious delivery target of “around 770” aircraft for the year 2024. With only a few weeks left in December, the planemaker must deliver approximately 127 aircraft to reach this goal. This article explores the challenges and recent developments in Airbus’s delivery plans, focusing on the critical factors impacting their production capabilities.

November 2024 Delivery Update

On December 6, 2024, Airbus reported delivering 84 aircraft in November, bringing the total deliveries for the year to 643. This performance sets a challenging stage for the company, as they attempt to fulfill their annual target amid ongoing supply chain issues.

• In July 2024, Airbus lowered its delivery target from 800 to around 770 aircraft, primarily due to a shortage of engines and essential components.
• The November deliveries included significant milestones, such as:
  • Malaysia Airlines receiving its first-ever Airbus A330neo.
  • Emirates taking delivery of its first A350.
  • Ethiopian Airlines welcoming its first A350-1000.
  • Icelandair acquiring its first Airbus aircraft, an A321LR.

Meeting the December Challenge

To achieve its goal, Airbus must deliver more aircraft in December than it did in the same month last year, when it successfully delivered 112 aircraft to 51 customers. This exceeded Faury’s previous forecast by 15 planes and represented an 11% increase from 2022.

• In December 2023, to meet its target of “around 720” deliveries, Airbus only needed to deliver 97 aircraft, highlighting the pressure they face in December 2024.

New Orders and Future Prospects

The month of November also saw Airbus secure 30 new orders from undisclosed buyers, which included:

• 10 A321neos
• 15 A330neos
• 5 A350-900s

This influx of orders underscores the ongoing demand for Airbus aircraft, despite the current challenges.

Conclusion

As Airbus navigates the complexities of aircraft delivery amid supply chain constraints, the coming weeks will be crucial. Meeting the December 2024 target will require strategic planning and efficiency.

What are your thoughts on Airbus’s delivery challenges? Share your insights in the comments below, and check out our related articles for more updates on the aviation industry.

For further reading, you can explore Airbus’s recent achievements here and learn more about the global aircraft supply chain here.