Airbus CEO Expresses Concerns Over Engine Supplies Despite Improving Aerospace Supply Chain

Airbus CEO remains concerned about engine supplies despite improvements in the aerospace supply chain. The company is the leading producer of commercial aircraft globally, with a significant portion of its sales coming from commercial aircraft. Airbus also provides defense and aerospace systems, civil and military helicopters, training, and maintenance services. The company's sales are distributed across various regions, with Europe being its largest market.

Airbus, the leading producer of commercial aircraft globally, continues to grapple with engine supply issues despite improvements in the aerospace supply chain. As of August 2025, the company has delivered approximately 61 aircraft per month, falling short of its 2025 target of 820 deliveries . The primary obstacle remains the persistent delays in engine supplies, particularly for the CFM LEAP-1A engines used in the A320neo program .

The supply chain bottlenecks have led to Airbus assembling aircraft without engines, termed "gliders," which are parked in Toulouse awaiting critical components . Additionally, geopolitical tensions and tariffs on U.S.-sourced components have exacerbated the situation. For instance, Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier, has faced production quotas issues for A350 fuselage sections, with deliveries dropping significantly due to certification delays and U.S. tariffs .

To address these challenges, Airbus has implemented a multi-pronged strategy. The company has invested €94 million in Spirit AeroSystems to stabilize supply for the A350 program and plans to establish a second A320neo production line in China by 2027 . Airbus also finalized a $439 million acquisition of Spirit’s key manufacturing sites in August 2025, aiming to vertically integrate critical aerostructure production and reduce dependency on third-party suppliers .

Despite these efforts, analysts warn that Airbus may need to revise its 2025 target downward to a range of 780–800 aircraft without significant improvements in engine availability and supplier capacity . The company's long-term resilience is bolstered by strategic investments in vertical integration, R&D, and global partnerships, positioning it to recover by 2026 .

However, investors must weigh the risks of delayed supplier recovery, geopolitical volatility, and the financial strain of maintaining "glider" inventories. Airbus's 2025 target remains a high-stakes gamble, requiring unprecedented coordination across its global supply chain and a significant dose of luck.

References:
Airbus 2025 Delivery Target Navigating Supply Chain Turbulence [https://www.ainvest.com/news/airbus-2025-delivery-target-navigating-supply-chain-turbulence-production-scaling-challenges-2509/]
Airbus Faces Sprint to Hit Target After About 60 Deliveries in August [https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2025-09-01/airbus-faces-sprint-to-hit-target-after-about-60-deliveries-in-august-analysts-say]
Spirit AeroSystems Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results [https://www.spiritaero.com/pages/release/spirit-aerosystems-reports-second-quarter-2025-results]
Airbus Signs Definitive Agreement with Spirit AeroSystems [https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-04-airbus-signs-definitive-agreement-with-spirit-aerosystems]