Airbus Delivers 61 Commercial Jets in August, Net Sales Down to 40.2% in Europe

Airbus delivered 61 commercial jets in August, maintaining its position as the No. 1 European and No. 2 global player in the aeronautics, aerospace, and defense industries. Net sales are primarily driven by commercial aircraft (71.7%), followed by defense and aerospace systems (17.3%), and civil and military helicopters (11%). Sales are geographically distributed across Europe, Asia/Pacific, North America, the Middle East, Latin America, and other regions.

Airbus delivered 61 commercial jets in August, solidifying its position as the leading European and second-largest global player in the aeronautics, aerospace, and defense industries. This performance underscores the company's resilience and strategic positioning amidst a challenging market environment.

Net sales for Airbus are primarily driven by commercial aircraft, which account for 71.7% of total revenue, followed by defense and aerospace systems (17.3%) and civil and military helicopters (11%). Geographically, sales are distributed across Europe, Asia/Pacific, North America, the Middle East, Latin America, and other regions.

The aerospace industry has shown signs of recovery, with commercial aircraft deliveries returning to pre-pandemic levels. According to ADS, the UK aerospace trade association, July 2025 saw the highest year-to-date total since 2019, with a total of 116 aircraft delivered. This recovery is particularly notable in the widebody aircraft segment, which has seen a significant increase in orders and deliveries [2].

However, the industry continues to face challenges, including regulatory scrutiny and trade disputes. The U.S. administration's tariffs on imported aircraft and parts have caused significant disruptions. In April 2025, commercial aircraft orders dropped by nearly three-quarters, with only 19 orders compared to 64 in 2024. These tariffs have led to delays, increased costs, and safety risks, particularly for smaller suppliers [2].

Despite these challenges, Airbus remains focused on its strategic objectives. The company's recent financial performance, marked by a raised full-year profit outlook, provides a strong foundation for its initiatives. Investors should continue to monitor Airbus's ability to execute its strategy effectively, particularly in the face of ongoing regulatory and market dynamics.

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[1] Airbus delivered 61 commercial jets in August, maintaining its position as the No. 1 European and No. 2 global player in the aeronautics, aerospace, and defense industries. Net sales are primarily driven by commercial aircraft (71.7%), followed by defense and aerospace systems (17.3%), and civil and military helicopters (11%). Sales are geographically distributed across Europe, Asia/Pacific, North America, the Middle East, Latin America, and other regions.
[2] Commercial aircraft deliveries have returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to ADS, the UK aerospace trade association, which reported that July 2025 saw the highest year-to-date total since 2019. A total of 116 aircraft were delivered in July, bringing the year-to-date tally to 712. That puts the industry back in line with 2019 performance and signals a steady recovery in output from Airbus, Boeing and COMAC Deliveries by aircraft type Single-aisle aircraft deliveries have declined while widebodies have ramped up. Single-aisle aircraft: 589 delivered so far this year, slightly behind last year’s pace Widebody aircraft: 123 delivered year-to-date – the highest since 2019 and nearly 30% above 2024 levels July’s total of 116 deliveries was down 4% year-on-year, but still the joint second-strongest July on record, equal to 2018. Orders dip in July, but year-to-date totals surge New aircraft orders slowed to 38 in July, a sharp 71% decline compared with the same month last year, when the Farnborough Airshow boosted sales. Despite this drop, the pipeline remains robust: 1,200 aircraft have been ordered so far in 2025, a 95% increase on the same period in 2024. Photo: Philippine Airlines Widebodies played a larger role in the market this year, with 493 widebody aircraft orders placed so far in 2025. The global commercial aircraft backlog has climbed to 16,166 units, a 3% increase compared with July 2024 and the highest ever recorded. At current production rates, that represents more than 14 years of work for the UK aerospace supply chain and is valued at £255 billion to the UK economy. Widebody aircraft now account for a growing share of this backlog, with an 18% increase compared with the same period last year. Commercial engine market trends The recovery in aircraft production has not been mirrored in engines. 68 engine orders were placed, down 66% year-on-year 232 engines delivered, a 4% decline compared with July 2024 Backlog stable at nearly 29,900 units, unchanged year-on-year Widebody engine activity showed the sharpest decline, with July orders down 90% compared to the same period a year ago. Cancellations on the rise ADS reported 139 cancellations by the end of July 2025, 56% more than the same period last year. While still a small share of total orders, the increase highlights ongoing volatility, much of it linked to new trade disputes. The US administration imposed a 10% tariff on imported aircraft and parts in April, with a proposed 20% levy on EU goods still under review. Industry groups warned that higher costs could disrupt supply chains, delay maintenance and pose safety risks. Photo: The White House At the time, the Aerospace Industries Association warned these tariffs could disrupt supply chains, delay maintenance, escalate costs, and pose safety risks—especially as smaller suppliers struggled to absorb added costs. The tariffs shook industry confidence. ADS reported that commercial aircraft orders dropped by nearly three-quarters in April 2025, with 19 orders compared to 64 in 2024. “April’s orderbook is a telling sign of industry confidence,” said Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS. “The uncertainty caused by tariffs likely continues to delay order decisions, while aircraft manufacturers have begun to re-allocate aircraft to avoid immediate repercussions of new custom duties.” In response to Trump’s tariffs, China, previously Boeing’s biggest market, halted all deliveries, leaving roughly 10 Boeing 737 MAX jets in limbo. This move forced equipment to return to Seattle, straining Boeing’s cash flow and export revenue. In March, AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly warned that a worst-case tariff scenario could result in Boeing 787 prices increasing by $40 million, potentially impacting fleet procurement. Still, the industry seems to have adjusted to the volatility, sometimes resorting to clever workarounds to dodge or mitigate tariffs. ADS scenarios for 2025 deliveries Adjusting for what the organisation describes as “the unpredictable future”, ADS has provided