This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.

Airbus Adjusts 2025 Delivery Targets Amid Supply Chain Challenges

On December 3, 2025, Airbus SE officially updated its commercial aircraft delivery guidance for the full year. In a statement addressing production adjustments, the European planemaker lowered its delivery target from approximately 820 to 790 aircraft. The company attributed this reduction to a specific quality issue involving fuselage panels on the A320 Family.

Despite the reduction in physical deliveries, Airbus confirmed that it is maintaining its financial guidance for the year. The company projects an Adjusted EBIT of approximately €7.0 billion and Free Cash Flow (before Customer Financing) of around €4.5 billion, signaling confidence in its operational resilience despite late-year supply chain hurdles.

Revised Operational Guidance

The primary adjustment in the December 3 announcement focuses on the volume of commercial aircraft deliveries. The previous target of roughly 820 units has been revised downward by 30 aircraft. According to the company’s press release, this decision stems from a “supplier quality issue” that necessitates inspections and potential remediation, disrupting the flow of deliveries during the critical year-end period.

While the delivery volume has decreased, the financial outlook remains stable. By reaffirming the €7.0 billion earnings target, Airbus indicates that the costs associated with these delays and inspections are manageable within the current fiscal framework.

Supply Chain and Quality Context

While the official press release cites a general supplier quality issue, industry reporting provides further granularity regarding the cause of the disruption. According to research reports summarizing the event, the specific defect involves the incorrect thickness of metal fuselage panels supplied by Sofitec Aero, a manufacturer based in Seville, Spain.

Reports indicate that the deviation occurred during manufacturing processes involving stretching and milling. The scope of the impact is significant; industry data suggests approximately 628 aircraft are potentially affected, with roughly 40% of those still on the production line. Importantly, Airbus has stated there is no immediate safety risk to the in-service fleet, characterizing the issue as an industrial quality “escape” rather than a flight safety emergency.

This delivery adjustment arrives shortly after a separate operational challenge. In late November, a software vulnerability regarding the Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) on A320 aircraft prompted a recall to address potential data corruption from solar radiation. While distinct from the fuselage issue, the combination of events created a complex operational environment for the manufacturer in the fourth quarter.

Analyst Sentiment and Market Reaction

Following the announcement, market reaction appeared to stabilize. Shares in Airbus, which had fallen approximately 6-10% earlier in the week due to initial reports of the quality issue, recovered by 2-3% after the official release clarified the scope and confirmed financial targets were safe.

Market analysts have generally viewed the update as a “clearing of the air.” In a note to investors, Jefferies analyst Chloe Lemarie observed that the cut appears driven by the time required for inspections rather than a fundamental breakdown in production.

“Not all [affected] aircraft would necessarily require parts changes; many just need testing.”

, Chloe Lemarie, Jefferies (via industry reporting)

Similarly, Morningstar analyst Nicolas Owens maintained a “Fair Value” estimate for the company, suggesting that a shortfall of 30 aircraft represents a short-term logistical hurdle rather than a threat to the company’s long-term competitive advantage.

AirPro News Analysis

The Fragility of the “Year-End Sprint”

At AirPro News, we observe that this incident highlights a recurring vulnerability in the aerospace sector: the “year-end sprint.” Manufacturers traditionally deliver a disproportionate number of aircraft in December to meet annual targets. When a quality escape at a Tier 2 or Tier 3 supplier, such as the reported issue at Sofitec, is discovered in late November, it becomes mathematically impossible to recover the lost days before the fiscal year closes.

Furthermore, while the reduction of 30 aircraft is financially absorbable, it underscores the extreme fragility of the post-pandemic supply-chain. As production rates ramp up to meet record demand, quality control at sub-tier suppliers remains a critical bottleneck that can have outsized impacts on final delivery numbers.

Sources

• Airbus Press Release