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Aircraft Orders & Deliveries

Airbus Raises Concerns Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Supply Delays

Airbus cites delays from Pratt & Whitney in engine deliveries, affecting aircraft production targets and raising supply chain concerns in 2026.

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This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and public remarks from Airbus leadership.

Airbus Escalates Tensions with Pratt & Whitney Over Engine Supply Volumes

On Monday, January 12, 2026, Airbus publicly voiced significant concerns regarding its supply chain, specifically targeting U.S. engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. During the company’s annual commercial orders and deliveries press conference, outgoing Commercial CEO Christian Scherer revealed that the European planemaker has not yet secured a commitment from Pratt & Whitney regarding the number of engines needed for upcoming production targets.

The dispute highlights the ongoing friction between the manufacturers and its suppliers as the industry attempts to ramp up production following years of disruption. According to reporting by Reuters, Airbus stated it had “yet to reach agreement” with the RTX Corp subsidiary regarding supply volumes required “for the foreseeable future.”

“Very, Very Late”: The Core of the Dispute

The primary point of contention revolves around delivery delays that have hampered Airbus’s ability to hand over finished aircraft to airlines. Scherer explicitly criticized the timing of deliveries throughout the previous year.

“Engines for the A320neo family arrived ‘very, very late’ throughout 2025.”

, Christian Scherer, Airbus Commercial CEO (via Reuters)

These delays have resulted in operational inefficiencies at Airbus assembly lines. In mid-2025, the manufacturer faced a peak of approximately 60 “gliders”, finished airframes sitting on the tarmac awaiting engines, though Scherer noted that this number has since dropped to a “manageable” level.

Impact on Production Targets

Despite these supply chain hurdles, Airbus managed to deliver 793 aircraft in 2025, surpassing its revised target of 790 but falling short of the original goal of 820. The uncertainty regarding future engine allocations poses a risk to the company’s aggressive ramp-up goals, which include aiming for a production rate of 75 A320neo family jets per month by 2027.

Pratt & Whitney’s Industrial Challenges

The supply constraints are largely attributed to ongoing industrial struggles at Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corp. The engine maker is currently managing a massive recall of its Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines due to a powder metal defect affecting units produced between 2015 and 2021.

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This defect has forced the grounding of hundreds of existing aircraft for mandatory inspections, diverting resources that might otherwise be used for new production. According to industry data, the need to service the “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) fleet competes directly with the demand from Airbus for new engines.

RTX Corp has previously stated that it expects the AOG situation to be largely resolved by the end of 2026. However, the current lack of agreement on volumes suggests a disconnect between Airbus’s immediate needs and Pratt & Whitney’s recovery timeline.

AirPro News Analysis

Negotiation by Press Release

We view Scherer’s public comments as a strategic maneuver often described as “negotiation by press release.” By airing these grievances during a high-profile annual event, Airbus is likely attempting to apply maximum public pressure on RTX Corp to prioritize new engine deliveries over other operational demands.

Furthermore, 2026 is shaping up to be a critical “transition year.” With the A220 production target of 14 aircraft per month already pushed back to late 2026, the industry is watching closely to see if the supply chain can stabilize enough to support the ambitious 2027 targets. If Pratt & Whitney cannot commit to the requested volumes soon, we anticipate Airbus may be forced to revise its long-term delivery guidance downward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “glider” in this context?
In commercial aviation manufacturing, a “glider” refers to a fully assembled aircraft that is sitting on the tarmac waiting for its engines to be installed. This creates inventory costs and delays delivery to the airline customer.

Why are Pratt & Whitney engines delayed?
Pratt & Whitney is dealing with a significant recall of GTF engines due to a microscopic contaminant in the powdered metal used for turbine discs. This requires time-consuming inspections and repairs, straining their industrial capacity.

Did Airbus meet its 2025 delivery goals?
Airbus delivered 793 aircraft in 2025. This beat their revised target of 790, but missed their original target of 820 aircraft.

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Sources: Reuters, Airbus Annual Press Conference (Jan 12, 2026), RTX Corp Investor Communications.

Photo Credit: RTX

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Aircraft Orders & Deliveries

Embraer Delivers 244 Aircraft in 2025 Meeting Full-Year Targets

Embraer delivered 244 aircraft in 2025, including 91 in Q4, achieving targets in Commercial and Executive Aviation segments.

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

Embraer Delivers 91 Aircraft in Q4, Meeting Full-Year 2025 Guidance

Embraer has successfully met its deliveries targets for 2025, reporting a strong finish to the year with 91 aircraft delivered in the fourth quarter. According to the company’s latest operational data, the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer delivered a total of 244 aircraft for the full year of 2025, representing an 18% increase compared to the 206 units delivered in 2024.

The surge in fourth-quarter activity, up 21% from the 75 aircraft delivered in the same period last year, allowed Embraer to fulfill its guidance across both its Commercial and Executive Aviation segments. The Executive Aviation division performed particularly well, reaching the upper end of its forecasted range, while Commercial Aviation deliveries landed within the target window, albeit at the lower end.

Commercial Aviation: E2 Family Leads the Way

In the Commercial Aviation segment, Embraer delivered 32 jets in the fourth quarter of 2025, bringing the full-year total to 78 aircraft. This figure falls within the company’s 2025 guidance range of 77 to 85 jets. While the segment met its goals, the final count landed just above the minimum threshold.

The delivery mix highlights the growing prominence of the E2 generation. Of the 32 commercial aircraft delivered in Q4, nearly half were the larger, more efficient E195-E2 models.

Q4 2025 Commercial Delivery Breakdown

  • E195-E2: 15 units
  • E175: Remaining balance (primary regional workhorse)
  • Total Q4 Commercial: 32 units

The E175 remains a critical asset for regional connectivity, particularly in the United States, but the acceleration of E195-E2 deliveries signals a shift toward fleet modernization with Embraer’s latest technology.

Executive Aviation: Hitting the Top of the Range

The Executive Aviation segment demonstrated robust performance, delivering 53 jets in the fourth quarter alone. This pushed the full-year total to 155 aircraft, hitting the absolute ceiling of Embraer’s 2025 guidance, which had forecasted between 145 and 155 deliveries.

The Phenom 300 continues to be the primary volume driver for the company. In the fourth quarter, Embraer delivered 23 units of the light jet, reinforcing its status as a market leader. The segment’s total of 155 jets for the year represents a significant leap from the 115 executive jets delivered in 2024.

The Executive Aviation segment performed at the top end of its guidance, driven by the Phenom 300.

, Embraer Operational Report Summary

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Defense & Security Updates

Embraer’s Defense & Security unit also reported activity in the final quarter, delivering a total of six aircraft. The deliveries included two C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft and four A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft. For the full year, the defense segment delivered 11 aircraft.

The C-390 Millennium continues to gain traction in international markets, with recent orders from European nations including the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic positioning the aircraft as a competitive alternative in the tactical transport sector.

AirPro News Analysis

The disparity between the Commercial and Executive segments’ performance relative to their guidance offers insight into the current state of the aerospace supply chain. While Executive Aviation managed to hit the maximum target, Commercial Aviation cleared its lower bound by a single aircraft (78 deliveries against a minimum of 77).

This suggests that while demand for commercial regional travel remains high, the “just-in-time” complexity of commercial airliner production may still be grappling with lingering supply chain tightness. Conversely, the high margins and strong demand in the private aviation sector appear to have insulated the Executive segment, allowing for a more aggressive delivery pace.

Investors and analysts will likely view the 21% year-over-year increase in Q4 output as a positive signal that Embraer’s production lines are stabilizing. The company is expected to release detailed financial results, including revenue and net income, on March 6, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Embraer meet its 2025 delivery targets?
Yes. Embraer met guidance for both Commercial Aviation (78 jets delivered against a target of 77–85) and Executive Aviation (155 jets delivered against a target of 145–155).
Which aircraft model was the most delivered in Q4 2025?
In the Executive segment, the Phenom 300 was a top performer with 23 units. In Commercial Aviation, the E195-E2 saw 15 deliveries.
When will Embraer release its full financial report?
Embraer is scheduled to release its full Q4 and FY 2025 financial results on March 6, 2026.

Sources

Photo Credit: Embraer

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Aircraft Orders & Deliveries

Airbus Delivers 793 Aircraft in 2025 Surpassing Revised Targets

Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025, exceeding revised targets amid supply chain challenges and reaching a record backlog of 8,754 jets.

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

Airbus Delivers 793 Aircraft in 2025, Surpassing Revised Targets Amid Supply Chain Constraints

Airbus has retained its status as the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer for the seventh consecutive year, reporting 793 commercial aircraft deliveries for 2025. According to the company’s official figures released today, this represents a 4% increase over the 766 aircraft delivered in 2024. The final tally slightly exceeds the manufacturer’s revised guidance of “around 790” aircraft, a target that was adjusted late in the year due to persistent industrial bottlenecks.

In addition to its delivery performance, the European planemaker secured 1,000 gross orders, resulting in 889 net orders after cancellations. This commercial activity has pushed the company’s total backlog to a record high of 8,754 aircraft, signaling robust long-term demand despite a “complex and dynamic operating environment.”

2025 Delivery Performance by Family

The A320 Family continued to serve as the backbone of Airbus’s industrial output, accounting for the vast majority of deliveries. However, the A220 program saw the most significant percentage growth year-over-year.

According to the data released by Airbus, the delivery breakdown by aircraft family is as follows:

  • A220 Family: 93 deliveries (up 24% from 75 in 2024)
  • A320 Family: 607 deliveries (up 0.8% from 602 in 2024)
  • A330 Family: 36 deliveries (up 12.5% from 32 in 2024)
  • A350 Family: 57 deliveries (unchanged from 2024)

The figures highlight a stabilization in widebody production, with the A330 seeing a double-digit percentage increase, while the A350 remained flat at 57 units. The A320 Family’s growth was modest, reflecting the intense supply chain pressures affecting single-aisle production lines.

Supply Chain Challenges and Strategic Adjustments

While the 793 deliveries mark a year-on-year improvement, the figure falls short of Airbus’s original 2025 target of 820 aircraft. The company was forced to lower this guidance late in the year. In its statement, Airbus acknowledged the difficulties of the past year, citing a supply chain that remains fragile post-pandemic.

Industry analysis indicates that specific bottlenecks, particularly regarding fuselage components from suppliers, hampered the ability to reach the initial 820-unit goal. A significant “December push”, a traditional year-end surge in aerospace logistics, saw the manufacturer deliver 136 aircraft in the final month alone, allowing it to clear the revised threshold of 790.

Orders and Backlog

Commercial momentum remained strong throughout 2025. Airbus reported a book-to-bill ratio greater than one, meaning it received more orders than it fulfilled. The backlog now stands at 8,754 jets, providing significant visibility for production planning through the end of the decade.

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“We delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025, an increase of 4% compared to 2024, and we reached a record backlog of 8,754 aircraft.”

Airbus Press Release

Competitive Landscape

Airbus’s performance cements its lead over rival Boeing for another year. While Boeing has not yet released full-year confirmed figures for 2025, data from January through November 2025 showed the US manufacturer at 537 deliveries. Boeing’s production was severely impacted by a machinists’ strike in late 2024 and ongoing regulatory scrutiny following the Alaska Airlines incident earlier in the cycle.

Market analysts estimate that Airbus currently holds approximately 70% of the delivery market share for 2025, a disparity driven largely by the divergent industrial stability of the two aerospace giants.

AirPro News Analysis

The ability of Airbus to meet its revised target of 790 deliveries will likely be viewed by investors as a stabilizing signal. After the disappointment of the guidance downgrade, missing the lower target would have raised serious questions about management’s visibility into its own supply chain. Instead, the delivery of 793 units suggests that while the supply chain is “complex,” it is not broken.

However, the flat performance of the A350 and the marginal growth of the A320 family (less than 1%) indicate that the ramp-up is slower than the market desires. The record backlog is a double-edged sword: it proves demand is insatiable, but it also increases pressure on Airbus to solve component shortages, specifically engines and fuselages, to prevent delivery slots from slipping further into the 2030s.

With the acquisition of key Spirit AeroSystems sites on the horizon, 2026 will likely be a year of vertical integration for Airbus as it attempts to insulate itself from the supplier volatility that defined 2025.

Sources:

Photo Credit: Airbus

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Aircraft Orders & Deliveries

BOC Aviation Reports 100% Fleet Utilization and Portfolio Growth in 2025

BOC Aviation achieved 100% fleet utilization, increased deliveries by 34%, and expanded its order book by 45% in 2025 despite supply chain challenges.

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This article is based on an official press release from BOC Aviation.

BOC Aviation Reports Record Transaction Volume and 100% Fleet Utilization in 2025

BOC Aviation Limited (HKEX: 2588) has released its operational statistics for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, revealing a period of aggressive expansion and high efficiency. According to the company’s latest data, the lessor achieved a 100% utilization rate for its owned fleet and executed one of the largest volumes of annual transactions in its history, despite ongoing global supply chain challenges.

The Singapore-based lessor reported a total portfolio of 815 aircraft, a significant 15% increase from the 709 aircraft reported in 2024. This growth was driven primarily by a massive surge in the company’s order book, signaling a strategic move to secure future delivery slots in a supply-constrained market.

Operational Surge Amidst Industry Headwinds

The operational update highlights a distinct “growth-on-offense” strategy. While major Manufacturers Boeing and Airbus faced continued delivery delays throughout 2025, BOC Aviation successfully increased its aircraft deliveries by 34% year-over-year. The company took delivery of 51 aircraft in 2025, up from 38 in the previous year.

Steven Townend, CEO and Managing Director of BOC Aviation, commented on the company’s performance in the official release:

“In 2025, we delivered a strong operational performance, executing one of our largest ever volumes of transactions… We added 160 aircraft purchase commitments to our orderbook and reinforced our position as one of the top five global aircraft lessors.”

Transaction and Commitment Volume

The data indicates a sharp pivot toward future-proofing the lessor’s pipeline. In 2025, BOC Aviation signed purchase commitments for 160 aircraft. This represents a 240% increase compared to the 47 commitments signed in 2024. Consequently, the company’s order book has expanded by 45%, growing from 232 aircraft to 337.

Total transaction activity for the year included:

  • 333 total transactions executed (66 in Q4 alone).
  • 74 lease commitments signed.
  • 35 owned aircraft sold as part of portfolio management.

Fleet Composition and Financial Strength

As of December 31, 2025, BOC Aviation’s fleet maintains a young and fuel-efficient profile, a critical factor for airline customers facing high operating costs. The owned fleet comprises 451 aircraft with an average age of 5.0 years and an average remaining lease term of 7.8 years. The managed fleet stands at 16 aircraft.

The company also reported a robust liquidity position, having raised over US$4 billion in funding throughout 2025. This capital raising supports the expanded order book and delivery schedule outlined in the operational report.

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AirPro News Analysis

The metrics released by BOC Aviation reflect a broader shift in the aviation finance sector. The achievement of a 100% utilization rate, up from 99% in 2024, underscores the severity of the current capacity shortage. With airlines unable to secure enough new metal directly from OEMs due to production backlogs, lessors with available inventory or secured delivery slots are seeing maximum placement efficiency.

Furthermore, the aggressive jump in purchase commitments (160 units) suggests that BOC Aviation is betting on a prolonged period of supply scarcity. By locking in delivery slots now, the lessor is effectively cornering future capacity for the late 2020s, positioning itself to command premium lease rates as airline demand continues to outstrip manufacturing output.

Summary of Key Figures (FY 2025 vs FY 2024)

The following data points summarize the year-over-year changes reported by BOC Aviation:

  • Total Portfolio: 815 (up from 709).
  • Order Book: 337 (up from 232).
  • Deliveries: 51 (up from 38).
  • Purchase Commitments: 160 (up from 47).
  • Utilization Rate: 100% (up from 99%).

The company serves a customer base of 87 airlines across 46 countries and regions, further diversifying its risk exposure while capitalizing on global travel demand recovery.

Sources

Photo Credit: BOC Aviation

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