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Airbus CEO Confirms Postponements Amid Rising Aircraft Demand
Global aircraft manufacturer acknowledges manufacturing challenges as orders surge at Farnborough International Airshow
- November 29, 2025
- 11:39 am
Airbus production delays have become a major concern for airlines, with extended delivery timelines caused by parts shortages, labour gaps, and high global demand.
How Serious Are Airbus Production Delays?
Airbus delivery delays are not a short-term problem. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, global aerospace manufacturing has struggled to recover fully. Factory shutdowns, reduced staffing, and disrupted logistics created a domino effect that still impacts production today.
Even as passenger demand rebounds strongly, aircraft makers remain constrained by shortages of engines, avionics, raw materials, and skilled labor. Industry analysts say it takes years not months for aerospace supply chains to normalize because every aircraft depends on thousands of specialized parts arriving at exactly the right time.
"Demand Surpasses Supply," States Airbus CEO
Addressing the yearly event in the sector, CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized persistent "bottlenecks" within the supply chain. Since thousands of suppliers contribute to assembling each aircraft, minor delays can hinder the entire production process.
"We face demand more than our capacity to deliver"
Guillaume Faury - CEO, Airbus
The Farnborough Airshow attracted commercial airlines, military pilots, technology pioneers and supporters of sustainability. Notable attendees included UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who visited the Airbus booth and engaged with the company's executives.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury addresses supply chain challenges at the Farnborough International Airshow.
The UK's Key Role in Airbus Production
The UK continues to be a vital segment of Airbus' worldwide operations. At Filton close to Bristol, over 3,000 engineers are responsible for designing the wings of all Airbus planes. This location also handles fuel systems, landing gear and other key elements.
After the design phase, the wings are finalized at the Broughton plant in Flintshire, which has a workforce of 6,000 staff. Additionally, thousands of employees support the process via specialized suppliers around the nation.
Why Aircraft Demand Is Exploding Worldwide
Global air travel has surged back faster than expected after the pandemic. Airlines are rushing to modernize fleets, replace aging aircraft, and expand capacity for growing tourism and business travel.
Low-cost carriers are ordering fuel-efficient jets to keep fares competitive, while full-service airlines want wide-body aircraft for long-haul routes. At the same time, governments are investing heavily in defense aviation. This combination of commercial and military demand has stretched manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing to their limits.
Big Orders but Slower Output
The sales team at Airbus clinched significant agreements during this year's event:
- Virgin Atlantic acquired seven brand-new long-haul A330 planes, worth approximately $2.1 billion (£1.6bn)
- Japan Airlines finalized purchases for 20 A350-900 long-distance planes and 11 A321neo aircraft totaling over $3 billion (£2.3bn)
139
Orders at Farnborough 2024
8,585
Aircraft Backlog
735
Aircraft Delivered (2023)
2031
Wait Time for A321neo
Although these figures are remarkable, the overall 139 aircraft orders are considerably fewer than at Farnborough 2018, where Airbus secured 431 agreements prior to the pandemic impacting the sector.
Industry experts claim that the challenge lies not in selling airplanes but in manufacturing them. Airbus presently faces a backlog of 8,585 planes awaiting production. In the previous year, it supplied 735 aircraft, resulting in a projected wait time until as late as 2031 for favored models such as the A321neo for new buyers.
Airbus wing assembly at the Broughton plant in Flintshire employs over 6,000 staff
How Airbus Delays Affect Airlines and Passengers
Production delays ripple directly into airline operations. Carriers waiting for new aircraft must extend the life of older planes, increasing maintenance costs and fuel consumption. Some airlines are forced to reduce route expansions or delay launching new destinations.
For passengers, this can mean fewer flight options, higher ticket prices, and older cabins staying in service longer. Airlines also struggle with capacity planning, making it harder to meet peak-season demand.
Airbus vs Boeing: Who Is Handling Delays Better?
While Airbus currently leads Boeing in aircraft deliveries, both manufacturers face similar production challenges. Boeing continues to recover from safety issues and regulatory scrutiny, slowing its output. Airbus, meanwhile, benefits from stronger customer confidence but remains limited by supplier constraints.
Aviation experts believe airlines are spreading orders across both companies to reduce risk, but neither manufacturer can rapidly increase production without long-term supply chain investment.
Sustainability Pressure Adds to Production Challenges
Another growing challenge is sustainability. Airlines increasingly demand fuel-efficient aircraft to meet climate targets and reduce operating costs. Airbus must balance rapid production increases with stricter environmental standards, greener materials, and lower-emission manufacturing processes.
Many suppliers are also transitioning to sustainable operations, which requires new certifications, equipment upgrades, and compliance checks further slowing production timelines. While these changes are essential for long-term aviation goals, they add short-term complexity to an already strained supply chain.
Addressing the Supply Chain Crisis
Faury recognized that the company is actively working to assist its suppliers and accelerate manufacturing.
"We are dispatching our staff to support suppliers facing challenges and to avoid additional delays"
Guillaume Faury - CEO, Airbus
Airbus teams are being sent to support suppliers facing challenges. The company has also expanded buffer stock levels to effectively manage interruptions.
What Aviation Experts Say About Airbus Delays
Aviation analysts believe Airbus is facing one of the most complex manufacturing environments in its history. According to industry consultant Cirium, aircraft production today depends on more than 12,000 individual suppliers globally, making recovery extremely fragile.
Experts warn that even a single delayed component such as engines, landing gear, or avionics can hold up entire aircraft deliveries. Many suppliers downsized during COVID and are now struggling to rehire skilled workers fast enough.
“This is not just an Airbus problem,” says aviation analyst Alex Macheras. “The entire aerospace ecosystem is under pressure. Airlines want planes now, but factories can’t scale overnight.”
What Comes Next for Airbus?
Airbus aims to gradually increase production rates over the next two years, particularly for its popular A320neo family. However, executives admit progress will be gradual. Supplier stability, workforce training, and component availability remain key hurdles.
Most analysts expect delivery schedules to improve by late 2026, assuming global inflation cools and supply chains stabilize. Until then, airlines should prepare for extended wait times and continued aircraft shortages.
Economic Impact of Airbus Delays on the Global Market
Airbus production delays extend beyond airlines and passengers they affect the wider global economy. Aerospace manufacturing supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across Europe and Asia. Slower aircraft deliveries reduce revenue for suppliers, delay airport expansion plans, and impact tourism growth in emerging markets.
Governments closely monitor these disruptions because aviation plays a key role in trade and connectivity. Prolonged delivery backlogs could slow airline recovery, increase freight costs, and limit international travel capacity during peak seasons.
A Strong Finish at Farnborough
Although the total sales figures were moderate, Airbus concluded the airshow positively with a preliminary deal from Saudi budget airline flynas intending to purchase 90 new planes worth approximately $12 billion. This comprises:
- 75 A320neo jets, known for their fuel efficiency
- 15 A330neo long-distance airplanes, designed to aid the airline’s growth and Saudi Arabia’s expanding pilgrim travel industry
The announcement was greeted with excitement at the Filton and Broughton sites, where 10,000 employees work together on Airbus wing design and manufacturing. Additionally, the company outperformed competitor Boeing in aircraft sales this year, delivering 21 more planes than the U.S. manufacturer.
However, with every order comes even more pressure on Airbus' already stretched production system. The 139 new orders signed at Farnborough will add to the massive queue the company is racing to clear.
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FAQ
Quick Answers to Common Questions
What causes delays in Airbus production and deliveries?
The delays mainly stem from supply-chain problems specifically shortages or late deliveries of critical components like engines, structural parts, and cabin interiors.
Which Airbus models are most affected by the delays?
The delays hit especially hard for narrow-body jets (e.g. the A320neo family), and also impact widebody and freighter programs (like A350 / A350F) due to delayed fuselage parts or supplier issues.
How long are the delays expected to last?
- Airbus has warned airlines that delivery delays could persist for up to three more years, meaning delays affecting aircraft ordered now may stretch into 2027-2028.
What impact do these delays have on airlines and air travel?
- Airlines may receive jets later than planned causing slower fleet expansion or replacement, potential aircraft shortages, and possible increases in leasing or older aircraft usage until new planes are delivered.
Is Airbus doing anything to fix the production delays?
Yes Airbus aims to ramp up monthly production, work with suppliers to ease bottlenecks, and stabilize deliveries. However, engine and supply-chain issues remain challenging.
How do delays affect ticket prices?
Limited aircraft availability can reduce seat capacity, potentially increasing fares.
Will the situation improve soon?
Industry experts expect gradual recovery through 2026.
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