Airbus has announced a delivery target of approximately 870 commercial aircraft for 2026, which would surpass its pre-pandemic record of 863 set in 2019. The target comes after the European manufacturer delivered 793 aircraft in 2025 — a 4% increase year-on-year, though below its original goal of 820 due to supplier quality issues with A320 fuselage panels.
Strong Numbers, But Constraints Remain
The company reported adjusted EBIT of €7.1 billion for 2025, up from €5.3 billion in 2024, with a 23% increase in net profit to €5.2 billion. Airbus secured approximately 1,000 gross orders during the year (889 net after cancellations), maintaining a backlog exceeding 8,700 aircraft that provides multi-year production visibility.
However, CEO Guillaume Faury flagged a significant headwind: Pratt & Whitney's inability to deliver enough engines for the A320neo family. Faury described the situation as "unsatisfactory," noting that the engine shortage is directly constraining 2026 guidance and delaying the ramp-up trajectory. Airbus now expects to reach a rate of 70–75 A320 family aircraft per month by end of 2027, stabilising at rate 75 thereafter — a slower pace than previously planned. The supply chain difficulties come amid evolving EASA regulatory requirements for aircraft manufacturers and operators.
January 2026: A Slow Start
Airbus delivered just 19 aircraft in January 2026 to 15 customers — down from 25 in January 2025. While January is historically a slow month for deliveries, analysts described the figure as materially weaker than expected. Airbus indicated the shortfall was primarily driven by the ongoing fuselage panel issues rather than engine delays, and expects a back-end-loaded delivery profile for the year.
The January order book was more promising: 49 new aircraft orders, including 10 from IAG (8 A320neo and 2 A321neo). Narrow-body aircraft continued to dominate demand, reflecting airlines' focus on fuel-efficient, high-rotation short-haul fleets.
Boeing Narrowing the Gap
Adding competitive pressure, Boeing delivered 46 aircraft in January 2026 and booked 103 net orders — outpacing Airbus on both metrics for the month. While Airbus has dominated the commercial aircraft market during Boeing's extended crisis over the 737 MAX, signs of Boeing's recovery are adding urgency to Airbus's ramp-up plans.
What This Means for the Pilot Market
Record aircraft deliveries directly drive pilot demand. Each new narrow-body entering service requires approximately 10-12 pilots to crew it across a full roster cycle. If Airbus delivers 870 aircraft in 2026, that translates to roughly 8,700-10,400 additional pilot positions globally — on top of replacements for retirements and attrition.
For European airlines specifically, the combination of new A320neo deliveries, LOT Polish Airlines' 55-aircraft order, and continued fleet modernisation across Lufthansa Group, IAG, and Air France-KLM all point to sustained demand for type-rated crew. Airlines that can't secure delivery slots are leasing aircraft instead, further tightening the pilot market.
