Airbus nine-month results released on Oct. 28 show the European manufacturer delivered 547 commercial aircraft through Sept. 30, compared with 507 in the same period a year earlier. Consolidated revenue climbed to EUR 50.6 billion as commercial deliveries increased.
The company reported 1,105 net commercial aircraft orders and a backlog of 9,310 jets at the end of September. It also maintained guidance for around 870 commercial aircraft deliveries across the full 2026 calendar year.
The figures capture nine months of activity rather than a single quarter. They provide a check on Airbus’ effort to increase aircraft production while managing supply-chain pressure, research spending and rising working-capital needs.
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Airbus Nine-Month Results Show Higher Delivery Volume
In its primary announcement, Airbus said it handed over 68 A220s, 428 A320-family jets, 13 A330s and 38 A350s between January and September. The A320 family remained by far its largest commercial production program.
The Airbus nine-month results show commercial aircraft revenue grew 8 percent to EUR 36.7 billion, reflecting higher deliveries and services. Airbus said the weaker U.S. dollar partly offset those gains. Total group revenue, including helicopters and defense, increased by 7 percent from the same period in 2025.
The Airbus nine-month results recorded 1,174 gross commercial aircraft orders during the period. After cancellations, net orders were 1,105, more than double the 514 net orders in the first nine months of 2025. Its reported order backlog rose to 9,310 aircraft.
The order book indicates contracted future demand, but it is not the same as airplanes already built or delivered. Backlog can change through new orders, cancellations, deliveries and contract adjustments.
Profit Improves While Inventory Absorbs Cash
Airbus reported adjusted operating earnings of EUR 4.495 billion, compared with EUR 4.146 billion a year earlier. Its reported operating result was EUR 4.550 billion, and consolidated net income rose to EUR 3.587 billion from EUR 2.641 billion.
The company said free cash flow before customer financing was negative EUR 1.268 billion for the nine months. Airbus attributed much of the outflow to working capital, notably inventory built up ahead of a delivery schedule weighted toward the latter part of the year.
Airbus also recorded EUR 235 million of negative adjustments associated with integrating former Spirit AeroSystems work packages. That item illustrates how industrial restructuring can affect reported financial figures even while aircraft deliveries increase.
Helicopters delivered 226 aircraft compared with 218 a year earlier, while Defence and Space reported higher revenue and stronger adjusted operating earnings. These divisions matter to the group results but follow different order and production cycles from commercial jet manufacturing.
Full-Year Targets and Production Rates Remain
The Airbus nine-month results maintained a 2026 target of about 870 commercial aircraft deliveries, EUR 7.5 billion in adjusted operating earnings and EUR 4.5 billion in free cash flow before customer financing. Those are management objectives, not completed results.
For the A320 family, Airbus continues to expect output of 70 to 75 aircraft per month by the end of 2027, eventually stabilizing at 75. It is targeting 13 A220 aircraft per month in 2028 and 12 A350s per month in the same year.
Airbus cautioned that the outlook assumes no additional disruption to aviation demand, global trade, suppliers or its own industrial operations. The company also said its guidance incorporates currently applicable tariffs.
Separately, related TAD coverage examined Airbus’ long-term forecast for cargo aircraft. That outlook concerns future market demand; the nine-month financial results describe deliveries, contracts and earnings actually reported through September.
FAQ: Airbus nine-month results
How many aircraft do Airbus nine-month results show delivered?
Airbus delivered 547 commercial aircraft through September 2026: 68 A220s, 428 A320-family jets, 13 A330s and 38 A350s.
What was Airbus revenue for the nine-month period?
The company reported EUR 50.6 billion in consolidated revenue, up 7 percent from the comparable 2025 period.
Did Airbus revise its full-year delivery target?
No. Airbus retained its target of around 870 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2026, subject to its stated assumptions.
Looking Ahead
Airbus will need a substantial fourth-quarter delivery contribution to meet its full-year goal. Actual handovers, industrial output and cash conversion during the final months of 2026 will determine whether the forecast is achieved; the company has not described the target as guaranteed.
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