French planemaker Airbus (EADSY) on Wednesday trimmed its commercial aircraft delivery targets for this year even as American rival Boeing (BA) soared over 10% on Tuesday on its positive delivery projections for 2026.
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Due to a quality problem found on the fuselage panels on several of its best-selling A320 jets, Airbus now expects to deliver about 790 aircraft by the end of the year — down about 4% from its previous target of 820. However, the European aircraft manufacturer retained its full-year financial guidance.
How Widespread Is the Flaw?
According to a presentation to airlines seen by Reuters, the problem with the panels — the outer shell of an aircraft’s main body — affects 628 of Airbus’s aircraft, including those in service, on assembly lines, or in earlier production stages.
The issue emerged from imprecision by supplier Sofitec Aero during the industrial process of creating the panels by stretching flat metal sheets and milling them down to the desired level of thickness.
Airlines Shake Off Airbus Safety Recall
The lowered delivery projection follows Airbus’s weekend recall of 6,000 of its A320 jets due to intense solar radiation that could corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.
The move rattled the airline industry and led to a stock selloff for Airbus. However, airlines later shook off the impact, and operators such as American Airlines (AAL) have reported that the required software fix has been implemented.
Airbus recently emerged as the world’s largest planemaker after the deliveries of its A320neo family of jets helped it to overtake Boeing’s 737 family. However, with improved production restriction caps and new contracts lined up, Boeing is positioning to reverse its fortunes.
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