(April 29): Airbus SE profit dropped by half in the first quarter (1Q) as aircraft deliveries in the period slowed to the lowest since 2009, putting pressure on the European manufacturer to fix its supply chain at a time when rival Boeing Co regains its manufacturing edge.
Adjusted earnings before interest and tax fell 52% to €300 million, on sales of €12.65 billion, the Toulouse, France-based company said in a statement on Tuesday. Airbus was expected to report adjusted operating profit of about €512 million on sales of €12.87 billion, according to analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.
Airbus reiterated its forecast for about 870 commercial aircraft deliveries this year and adjusted Ebit of around €7.5 billion. The company said engine maker Pratt & Whitney remains “the key pacer” for the ramp-up of its bestselling A320 model, impacting both this year and next.
“The operating environment remains dynamic and complex,” Chief executive officer Guillaume Faury said in the statement. “We are closely monitoring the potential impact from the fast-changing situation in the Middle East.”
The European manufacturer has endured a difficult start to the year, cutting its monthly production plan for the A320 in February and low-balling its annual delivery goal as it struggles to get its hands on enough engines. The planemaker has faulted Pratt & Whitney for failing to meet contractual obligations, leaving Airbus at a disadvantage just as Boeing continues to improve output.
Adjusted operating profit at the main commercial aircraft subsidiary fell 84% to €81 million, while earnings at the defense subsidiary rose 69%.
See also: European airports warn of tough outlook as war disrupts flights
The company recorded 114 deliveries in the first three months, a 16% decrease from the same period last year. Airbus cut its annual delivery goal last year following the discovery of faulty fuselage panels on the A320 models that required additional inspections, delaying output.
Boeing has continued its recovery with higher output and more steady operations at its defence and services units. The US planemaker handed over more planes than Airbus in the same period this year and sold more jets than its European competitor in 2025, ending a seven-year losing streak.
The aviation sector is experiencing one of its most challenging periods as jet fuel prices surge on the conflict in Iran and some of the world’s biggest airlines curb operations amid the fighting.
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