Airbus has intensified its efforts to meet its annual delivery goal, successfully delivering 10 A321neos on December 19, 2025. This surge comes as the European aircraft manufacturer aims to achieve a revised target of 790 aircraft deliveries by the end of the year, having already completed 72 deliveries in November, totaling approximately $657 million for the year.
The recent deliveries leave Airbus with 100 aircraft remaining to reach its latest target, following a modest output of just 30 jets in the first two weeks of December. The December 19 delivery marked a significant day for Airbus, following the recent celebration of its 800th aircraft assembled at its Tianjin facility, which was handed over to Air China. The deliveries included contributions from major assembly lines in Hamburg, Tianjin, and Toulouse, yet no contributions from the Mobile, Alabama plant.
Challenges in Meeting Delivery Goals
Airbus faces substantial challenges in fulfilling its revised goal. CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledged November as a particularly weak month for manufacturing output. Reports from Reuters indicated that the company encountered panel defects with its A320 suppliers, which hindered assembly line progress. Consequently, some customers delayed accepting deliveries until they received assurances that the issues were resolved.
Industry analyst Rob Morris commented on the ambitious nature of Airbus’ goals, stating, “If they are to deliver another 104 aircraft to achieve the restated guidance of around 790, that seems like a very steep challenge at this point in the month.” The looming deadline adds pressure to an already strained production schedule.
Despite these challenges, December 19 proved to be a pivotal day. Among the significant recipients was Wizz Air, which received three A321neos as part of its plan to transition to an all A321neo fleet by 2033. This delivery coincided with Wizz Air’s milestone of acquiring its 250th A320 aircraft earlier in the month.
A Diverse Range of Deliveries
The delivery on December 19 included several collaborations with major airlines. The aircraft delivered to Air China included the facility’s 800th delivery, alongside two additional jets. Other notable recipients were IndiGo, which received one aircraft, and Singapore-based Scoot, which added one A321neo to replace an older A320ceo. The full list of deliveries from that day highlights the diversity of Airbus’ customer base:
– **Air China**: Three aircraft (B-32PJ, B-32PL, B-32PK)
– **Wizz Air**: Three aircraft (HA-LDK, 9H-WMQ, HA-LDH)
– **IndiGo**: One aircraft (VT-NHJ)
– **Scoot**: One aircraft (9V-NCM)
– **AirAsia**: One aircraft (9M-CAB)
– **China Airlines**: One aircraft (B-18123)
Additionally, China Airlines of Taiwan took delivery of one A321neo as part of a larger order for eight more aircraft and five A350-900 widebody jets.
AirAsia has also been active in converting its A320neo orders to larger A321neo variants, reflecting the increasing demand for this model. The airline’s second assembly line has demonstrated impressive production capabilities.
Expanding Manufacturing Capacity
The Tianjin plant in China and the Mobile plant in the United States have undergone capacity expansions to meet growing demand. The engine plant is expected to achieve full capacity early next year as part of Airbus’ “in China, for China” manufacturing strategy. The Tianjin facility now accounts for approximately 20% of Airbus’ global production, and 25% of Chinese-made jets are destined for international customers.
Looking ahead, Airbus has plans to establish a second assembly line in the United States. This new facility aims to enhance production capacity and bring Airbus closer to its North American customers, facilitating quicker delivery times. This move comes amidst ongoing challenges related to tax and tariff policies that have influenced manufacturing decisions in the region.
As December progresses, the race to meet the revised delivery target intensifies for Airbus, with the company continuing to push for efficiency and reliability in its operations.
