Airbus reported a notable uptick in aircraft handovers during May, delivering 81 jets compared with 51 in May 2025, industry sources said. The manufacturer did not comment on deliveries ahead of a planned monthly update on Friday.
Company commentary in April attributed a number of earlier delays to what Airbus described as a Chinese "administrative topic" that has since been settled. Two people familiar with the situation told industry sources that the Chinese pause appeared intended to exert pressure on European authorities in relation to certification of the C919 passenger jet, which has not yet received validation. A French newspaper reported that roughly 20 aircraft had been affected by the stand-off.
The dispute drew regulatory attention. In a response to a report at the end of May, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency stated that validation work on the C919 was "progressing with the full cooperation" of Chinese authorities and the plane's manufacturer COMAC. Reports indicated the snag had persisted for several months before being resolved.
Analysts say the acceleration in May deliveries is welcome but that it is too soon to conclude the company will meet its 870-aircraft delivery target for the year. That annual target also depends on a range of wider supply-chain constraints, which remain a material factor for production and delivery schedules.
Several knock-on issues have been identified as contributors to delivery delays. Missing engines and cabin equipment have held up some handovers, and slower output from a former Spirit AeroSystems plant in the United States that supplies parts for the A350 has also constrained deliveries.
UK-based analyst Rob Morris noted that Airbus must sustain strong momentum in the coming months to remain on track for its yearly goal, while also acknowledging that the manufacturer is "making progress towards clearing stored inventory."
The May increase in deliveries follows a period in which regulatory and supply-chain frictions combined to create a backlog. With the Chinese administrative matter reported as resolved, attention now turns to whether supplier performance and parts availability will allow Airbus to build on May's momentum.
- Deliveries: 81 aircraft delivered in May, up from 51 in May 2025.
- Regulatory issue: A China-related administrative hold affected roughly 20 planes and was later resolved.
- Supply constraints: Missing engines, cabin equipment, and slow output from a former Spirit AeroSystems plant for the A350 continue to affect deliveries.