Airbus hits record order backlog, eyes higher production by 2026

  • Airbus records over 1,000 commercial aircraft orders in the first half of 2023, doubling from the same timeframe in 2022.
  • A substantial 800 of these orders were confirmed during the June Paris Air Show.
  • Despite a challenging operational environment, Airbus sees a rise in overall half-year revenues to €27.7 billion, with 316 aircraft deliveries.


TOULOUSE, FRANCE —In a remarkable H1 2023 performance, European aerospace titan Airbus has witnessed its commercial aircraft orders soar past 1,000, marking a significant year-on-year growth. A major chunk of this surge - 800 orders - can be attributed to the company's strong showing at the Paris Air Show this June.

Airbus CEO, Guillaume Faury, recognized the company's impressive stride amidst an intricate operational backdrop. "The robust demand witnessed at the Paris Air Show, resulting in over 800 aircraft orders, underscores the enduring appeal of our commercial offerings," Faury said. He further pointed out that the shift towards more fuel-efficient fleets among airlines, whether for growth or fleet replacement, has been instrumental in driving this demand.

On the financial front, the first half of the year saw Airbus record an uptick of 11% in revenues, touching €27.7 billion. This growth was buoyed by the delivery of 316 aircraft, with the fleet comprising 25 A220s, 256 A320s, 14 A330s, and 21 A350s.

With the backdrop of these deliveries, the company spotlighted a notable 16% revenue augmentation, particularly in Airbus' commercial aircraft operations. As of June's end, Airbus' order backlog for commercial aircraft achieved a groundbreaking figure, standing at 7,967.

While the earnings from the company's commercial aircraft ventures remained relatively stable at €2.2 billion year-on-year, Airbus isn't resting on its laurels. The manufacturer is in the midst of ramping up its A220 programme, targeting a monthly production rate of 14 aircraft by the mid-2020s. Concurrently, the production for the A320 family is gearing up to reach a rate of 75 aircraft monthly by 2026. Amid these production goals, Airbus is also diligently flight testing the long-range A321XLR, anticipating its service debut in the second quarter of 2024.