The manufacturer reports 7% revenue growth to €50.6 billion, with higher commercial aircraft deliveries and plans to increase A320 Family production to 75 aircraft a month.
Toulouse: Airbus reported a 7% year-on-year increase in revenue to €50.6 billion for the first nine months of 2026, supported by higher commercial aircraft deliveries and growth across its defence and space businesses. The European aerospace manufacturer delivered 547 commercial aircraft between January and September, compared with 507 in the corresponding period last year.
Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT Adjusted) increased 8% to €4.495 billion, while reported EBIT rose 35% to €4.55 billion. Net income increased 36% to €3.587 billion, compared with €2.641 billion a year earlier.
Commercial Aircraft Orders and Backlog Increase
Airbus recorded a significant increase in commercial aircraft orders, with gross orders reaching 1,174 aircraft against 610 during the same period in 2025. Net orders, after cancellations, stood at 1,105 aircraft, more than double the 514 recorded a year earlier.
The commercial aircraft order backlog reached 9,310 aircraft at the end of September, reflecting continued demand across the manufacturer’s product portfolio.
Deliveries during the nine-month period comprised 68 A220s, 428 A320 Family aircraft, 13 A330s and 38 A350s. Revenue from commercial aircraft activities increased 8% to €36.7 billion.
Airbus Helicopters delivered 226 aircraft, compared with 218 in the corresponding period last year, while its revenue remained broadly stable at €5.6 billion. Airbus Defence and Space recorded a 5% increase in revenue to €9.3 billion, with order intake rising 70% to €11.5 billion.
A320 Family Production Ramp-Up in Focus for Asian Airlines
The results are relevant to the Asia-Pacific aviation market, including India, where airlines continue to expand their fleets to meet growing demand for domestic and international air travel.
The A320 Family accounted for nearly 78% of Airbus’s commercial aircraft deliveries during the nine-month period, underlining the importance of the narrowbody programme to airline fleet expansion. Airbus, however, did not provide a separate breakdown of deliveries or orders from India in its results announcement.
The manufacturer continues to target an A320 Family production rate of 70-75 aircraft a month by the end of 2027, with the rate expected to stabilise at 75 thereafter. The planned increase in output will be closely watched by airlines in India and other Asian markets awaiting new aircraft.
Airbus Sets Production Targets Across Aircraft Programmes
Alongside the A320 Family ramp-up, Airbus is targeting a monthly production rate of 13 aircraft for the A220 in 2028, five A330s in 2029 and 12 A350s in 2028.
The company retained its full-year 2026 guidance, targeting approximately 870 commercial aircraft deliveries, adjusted EBIT of around €7.5 billion and free cash flow before customer financing of approximately €4.5 billion.
CEO Highlights Production Ramp-Up and Delivery Priorities
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said the nine-month results reflected the upward trajectory of the company’s civil and military production ramp-up, supported by strong demand across its product portfolio.
He added that the company remained focused on deliveries while maintaining quality amid a complex geopolitical and operating environment.
