Airbus records zero orders for first time since 2022
Airbus reported no new aircraft orders in May 2025, marking the first month without a single sale since August 2022.
After factoring in cancellations, the net total for 2025 stands at 215 aircraft sold out of 291 gross orders.
Airbus delivered 51 commercial aircraft in May 2025 to 32 different customers, bringing the total number of deliveries so far this year to 243, to 61 customers.
The figure represents a 5% drop compared to the same period in 2024.
Supply constraints affecting orders?
The year-to-date performance reflects a slower pace, with supply chain constraints and production ramp-up challenges still affecting output.
Airbus is continuing efforts to stabilise its manufacturing operations amid high global demand and persistent industry-wide pressures on parts and labour.
Although a single month without orders is not necessarily a sign of a broader slowdown, the figures come at a time when Airbus continues to navigate persistent bottlenecks and is working to increase production across its aircraft families.
Airbus has not commented on the lack of May orders, but eyes will now turn to June’s tally to see whether the pause was an anomaly or part of a developing trend.
Airbus financial performance
Airbus kicked off 2025 with solid financial results and a strong order intake across all business divisions, even as commercial aircraft deliveries dipped slightly compared to the same period last year.
The company logged 280 gross commercial aircraft orders in its Q1 results, a notable rise from the 170 booked in Q1 2024. After accounting for cancellations, net orders stood at 204 aircraft. By the end of March, Airbus’s order backlog reached an impressive 8,726 commercial aircraft.
Helicopter sales also performed well, with Airbus Helicopters securing 100 net orders, up from 63 in the first quarter of 2024.
The orders were balanced across the product line, reflecting ongoing customer demand.
On the defence side, Airbus Defence and Space reported an uptick in order intake, reaching €2.6 billion, an increase from €2.0 billion a year earlier, supported by momentum in both platforms and services.
Overall group revenue rose 6% year-on-year to €13.5 billion, up from €12.8 billion in Q1 2024. Airbus delivered 136 commercial aircraft during the quarter, slightly down from 142 a year ago. The deliveries included 17 A220s, 106 A320-family aircraft, four A330s and nine A350s.
Revenue from commercial aircraft operations rose 4% to €9.5 billion, largely thanks to favourable currency exchange rates, though this was tempered by the decline in aircraft deliveries.
Airbus Helicopters generated €1.6 billion in revenue, a 10% rise that reflected strong programme execution and growth in support services. Defence and Space saw its revenue increase by 11% to €2.7 billion, driven by higher business volumes across its operations.
Supply chain challenges
“We are ramping up production in line with our plan but the delivery profile will be backloaded, reflecting the specific supply chain challenges we are facing this year,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer, at the time.
“We maintain the guidance that excludes tariffs which are adding complexity and remain uncertain in terms of implementation, scope and duration. We are closely monitoring and assessing the situation, but it is too early to quantify the impact today.
“When it comes to our defence activities, we support the recent approach to strengthen the European defence industry and we stand ready with our broad portfolio of products and solutions to respond to our customers’ requirements.”
