Airbus H1 2026 Results: Revenue Up 12% to 33.2 Billion

Airbus SE reported a 12 percent year-on-year revenue increase to €33.2 billion for the first half of 2026, driven by a 15 percent surge in commercial aircraft deliveries as supply chain constraints begin to ease. In a press release issued on July 29, 2026, the European aerospace manufacturer confirmed it delivered 351 commercial aircraft during the six months ended June 30, 2026, keeping the company on track to meet its unchanged full-year guidance of approximately 870 deliveries.

The financial results highlight a period of stabilization and growth across the manufacturer’s primary divisions. Airbus reported an adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of €2.7 billion and an Earnings Per Share (EPS) of €2.84 for the half-year period. Free cash flow before customer financing was recorded at €-1.2 billion.

Commercial aircraft production and order backlog

The delivery of 351 commercial aircraft in the first half of 2026 represents a notable increase from the 306 aircraft delivered during the same period in 2025. This production ramp-up was matched by strong sales performance. Airbus recorded 886 gross commercial aircraft orders between January and June 2026, up from 494 in the first half of 2025. After accounting for cancellations, net commercial orders reached 821, more than double the 402 net orders logged in the prior-year period.

By the end of June 2026, the Airbus commercial aircraft order backlog stood at 9,222 airframes.

“Our good H1 results mainly reflect the higher level of commercial aircraft deliveries and strong performance in Defence and Space, against the backdrop of a complex and fast-changing environment,” said Guillaume Faury, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus SE.

Helicopters and Defence divisions show growth

Beyond the commercial aircraft sector, Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space both reported year-on-year growth. Airbus Helicopters delivered 144 units in the first half of 2026, up from 138 in 2025, generating €3.7 billion in revenue. The division secured 215 net helicopter orders, increasing from 171 in the previous year, and ended the reporting period with a backlog of 1,108 helicopters.

Airbus Defence and Space saw revenues increase by 9 percent to €6.3 billion. The division’s order intake experienced a substantial increase, reaching €9.3 billion in the first half of 2026 compared to €5.1 billion during the same timeframe in 2025.

Supply chain stabilization supports delivery targets

The ability to increase commercial deliveries by 15 percent is closely tied to improvements in the aerospace supply chain. Speaking to CNBC at the Farnborough Airshow on July 21, 2026, Faury noted that engine supplies have stabilized, removing a primary constraint that had previously hindered production rates.

According to reporting by Reuters, Faury emphasized that the delivery volume achieved in the first half of 2026 is highly consistent with the company’s planned ramp-up trajectory for the year. The manufacturer reiterated its commitment to steady execution across all business units to meet growing civil and military demand.

AirPro News analysis

The confirmation of 351 commercial deliveries in the first half of 2026 provides a solid foundation for Airbus to reach its 870-aircraft target by year-end, though the traditional fourth-quarter delivery push will still be required. The stabilization of engine supplies is the most critical operational development here. For the past several years, propulsion system availability has been the primary bottleneck dictating the pace of final assembly lines. With that constraint easing, Airbus can more reliably forecast its output.

The reported negative free cash flow of €-1.2 billion is a standard byproduct of an aggressive production ramp-up. Building 15 percent more aircraft requires significant upfront investment in inventory, parts, and working capital before the final delivery payments are realized. With a backlog exceeding 9,200 commercial aircraft, we expect Airbus to maintain this high-capital expenditure posture as it pushes toward unprecedented monthly production rates over the next three years.

Sources: Airbus SE