Airbus Predicts Commercial Jet Delivery Surge in 2025; Delays A350 Freighter
Airbus anticipates a 7% increase in commercial jet deliveries to roughly 820 in 2025. The aerospace giant confirmed a delay in the A350 freighter model, posting lower core annual operating earnings that met expectations.
Airbus also assumed a 300 million euro charge for its Space business, citing potential risks to the A400M military transport aircraft's manufacturing future due to slow sales.
Its adjusted operating income for 2024 was 5.35 billion euros, including 2.56 billion in Q4 amid supply chain disruptions. Annual revenues rose 6% to 69.23 billion euros, with 24.72 billion generated in Q4.
Facing supply chain issues, Airbus is ramping up production of its A320 and A350 families, challenged by delays from Spirit AeroSystems. Despite these challenges, Airbus maintained its medium-term output targets.
The A350 wide-body jet's freighter version is delayed by a year to the second half of 2027. Airbus expects 7 billion euros in adjusted operating income for 2025, excluding trade tariffs and integrating Spirit.
In Space, Airbus provisions nearly 2 billion euros for loss-making projects. Industry sources link these losses to the OneSat satellite program. Talks are ongoing to combine Airbus and Thales Alenia Space satellite activities, countering Starlink's growth.
Airbus also announced 121 million euros in charges for the A400M, impacted by delays and order cancellations. It is assessing the potential manufacturing level impact of order uncertainty.
Analysts predict Airbus has sufficient A400M orders for three years of assembly but requires new orders or reversed budget cuts to sustain production.