Airbus maintains 870-aircraft delivery target as orders and profits rise

Airbus has reported higher revenues, increased profits and a significant rise in commercial aircraft orders for the first nine months of 2026, while maintaining its full-year financial and delivery targets.

The European aerospace manufacturer has reported consolidated revenues of €50.6 billion for the nine months ended 30 September 2026, an increase of 7% compared with the same period last year.

The company delivered 547 commercial aircraft and recorded strong demand across its commercial aviation, helicopter, defence and space businesses.

Despite a complex geopolitical and operating environment, Airbus said it remains focused on increasing production, meeting delivery commitments and maintaining product quality.

Commercial aircraft orders more than double

Airbus recorded 1,174 gross commercial aircraft orders during the first nine months of this year, compared with 610 in the same period of 2025. Net orders, after cancellations, reached 1,105 aircraft, up from 514 a year earlier.

The commercial aircraft order backlog stood at 9,310 aircraft at the end of September, reflecting sustained demand for the company’s products.

Airbus Helicopters also reported positive order momentum, securing 311 net orders compared with 306 in the previous year. Its backlog reached 1,122 helicopters.

Meanwhile, Airbus Defence and Space recorded strong commercial momentum, with order intake increasing to €11.5 billion from €6.8 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

Aircraft deliveries drive revenue growth

Airbus delivered 547 commercial aircraft during the reporting period, up from 507 in the previous year. Deliveries comprised 68 A220s, 428 A320 Family aircraft, 13 A330s and 38 A350s.

Revenue from commercial aircraft activities rose 8% to €36.7 billion, supported by higher deliveries and increased services, although the company reported that a weaker US dollar partially offset the growth.

Airbus Helicopters delivered 226 units, compared with 218 in the same period of 2025. Revenue remained broadly stable at €5.6 billion, reflecting a less favourable delivery mix.

Revenue at Airbus Defence and Space increased by 5% to €9.3 billion, driven by higher volumes across all business units.

Profitability improves across the group

Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT Adjusted), a key indicator of underlying operating performance, increased 8% to €4.5 billion, compared with €4.1 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

Adjusted EBIT from commercial aircraft activities rose to €3.36 billion from €3.27 billion. Higher deliveries supported the improvement, although increased research and development expenditure and a less favourable hedging rate partially offset the gains.

Airbus Helicopters recorded adjusted EBIT of €445 million, down from €495 million, reflecting its less favourable delivery mix.

In contrast, Airbus Defence and Space reported a substantial improvement in adjusted EBIT, which increased to €672 million from €420 million. Higher volumes and improved profitability across its business units supported the increase.

Group research and development expenditure rose to €2.33 billion from €2.15 billion, reflecting continued investment in technology and product development. Reported EBIT increased 35% to €4.55 billion, while consolidated net income climbed 36% to €3.59 billion. Reported earnings per share rose to €4.54 from €3.34.

Cash flow and financial position

Airbus reported free cash flow before customer financing of negative €1.27 billion, compared with negative €914 million a year earlier. Total free cash flow was negative €1.11 billion, against negative €778 million in the same period of 2025.

The cash outflow mainly reflected working capital changes, including inventory build-up tied to a back-end-loaded delivery schedule and planned production increases across the business.

At the end of September 2026, Airbus held a gross cash position of €21.9 billion and a net cash position of €7.0 billion, compared with €27.2 billion and €12.2 billion, respectively, at the end of 2025.

Production ramp-up plans remain on track

Airbus continues to progress its commercial aircraft production ramp-up plans. The company is targeting a monthly production rate of 13 A220 aircraft in 2028. For the A320 Family, it expects to reach a monthly rate of between 70 and 75 aircraft by the end of 2027, stabilising at 75 thereafter.

Airbus also continues to target a production rate of five A330 aircraft per month in 2029 and 12 A350 aircraft per month in 2028.

CEO Guillaume Faury said the results reflected the upward trajectory of the company’s civil and military production ramp-up, supported by strong demand across its portfolio. He highlighted delivery performance and product quality as priorities amid ongoing geopolitical and operational challenges.

Airbus maintains 2026 financial guidance

Airbus has maintained its full-year 2026 guidance, assuming no additional disruptions to global trade, the wider economy, air traffic, supply chains, internal operations or its ability to deliver products and services.

The company’s targets remain at approximately 870 commercial aircraft deliveries by the end of the year and an adjusted EBIT of approximately €7.5 billion.

Free cash flow before customer financing is forecast to reach approximately €4.5 billion. The guidance is before mergers and acquisitions and includes the impact of currently applicable tariffs.

With strong order intake, higher nine-month revenues and improved reported profitability, Airbus continues to focus on production growth and delivery performance as it works towards its full-year objectives.