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.

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.

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