Airbus Posts 7% Revenue Growth to €50.6 Billion in Nine-Month Results

Airbus SE has reported a 7% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenues to €50.6 billion for the first nine months of 2026, supported by higher commercial jetliner deliveries and strong order intake across its defense and civil divisions. The European planemaker delivered 547 commercial aircraft between January and September, compared to 507 units in the same period of 2025. Commercial aircraft division revenues rose 8% to €36.7 billion, driven by higher delivery volumes and growing services demand, which helped cushion the impact of a softer US dollar.

Gross commercial orders more than doubled to 1,174 aircraft, resulting in 1,105 net orders after cancellations. This commercial momentum expanded Airbus's firm commercial backlog to 9,310 aircraft at the close of the third quarter. Chief Executive Guillaume Faury reaffirmed the manufacturer's annual production guidance, stating that the upward trajectory of deliveries reflects disciplined operational execution amid ongoing aerospace supply chain challenges.

Division Performance and Earnings Growth

Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT Adjusted), the group's benchmark operating profitability measure, increased to €4.495 billion from €4.146 billion in the prior-year period. In the commercial aircraft business, adjusted EBIT advanced to €3.362 billion, reflecting higher volume deliveries that partially offset increased research and development expenditure and unfavorable foreign exchange hedging rates. Group net income jumped 36% to €3.587 billion, yielding reported earnings per share of €4.54 compared to €3.34 a year earlier.

Airbus Defence and Space demonstrated notable growth, with division revenues rising 5% to €9.3 billion and operating profit improving to €672 million, bolstered by strong European military procurement contracts that propelled division order intake to €11.5 billion. Airbus Helicopters maintained steady performance, delivering 226 rotary aircraft and generating €5.6 billion in revenue, with an adjusted EBIT of €445 million that reflected a transitional delivery mix.

Ramp-Up Targets and Fleet Breakdown

Of the 547 commercial aircraft handed over during the first nine months, narrowbodies formed the core of customer shipments, comprising 428 A320neo-family aircraft and 68 A220s. Widebody deliveries totaled 38 A350s and 13 A330s. Airbus confirmed that industrial ramp-up schedules remain intact across all major production facilities in Toulouse, Hamburg, Mobile, and Tianjin.

The manufacturer continues to target a monthly build rate of 13 aircraft for the A220 by 2028. For the single-aisle A320 program, production is projected to reach between 70 and 75 aircraft per month by late 2027 before stabilizing at rate 75. Long-range widebody schedules target five A330s per month in 2029 and 12 A350 aircraft per month by 2028, supported by airline demand for international fleet renewals.

Year-End Sprint Toward Annual Target

Reaching the company's full-year guidance of approximately 870 commercial deliveries requires a steep production surge through the fourth quarter. Following the close of the nine-month period, Airbus delivered 74 aircraft in October to bring its ten-month total to 621 aircraft. To fulfill its annual objective, the manufacturer must deliver roughly 249 aircraft across November and December.

Inventory investments and working capital absorption resulted in negative consolidated free cash flow before customer financing of €1.268 billion for the nine months, a planned outflow reflecting assemblies awaiting final cabin completion and engine integration. Despite persistent aerospace propulsion shortages and supplier constraints, Airbus maintains that inventory cushions and final assembly throughput will support its targeted year-end delivery cadence.