Airbus delivered 766 aircraft globally in 2024, marking a year of sustained demand despite facing ongoing supply chain challenges. Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, highlighted the year as a period of significant milestones, including the first-ever delivery of the A321XLR and the initial A330neo and A350 deliveries to major global customers such as Malaysia Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Emirates, and Ethiopian Airlines.
Family-Wise Breakdown of Deliveries:
- A220 Family: 75 deliveries (2024) vs. 68 (2023)
- A320 Family: 602 deliveries (2024) vs. 571 (2023)
- A330 Family: 32 deliveries (2024) vs. 32 (2023)
- A350 Family: 57 deliveries (2024) vs. 64 (2023)
- Total: 766 deliveries (2024) vs. 735 (2023)
December 2024 Highlights:
December was a particularly strong month for Airbus, with 123 new aircraft delivered, including:
- Two A220-100s and eight A220-300s
- Three A319neos, 34 A320neos, and 55 A321neos
- Six A330-900s and one A330 MRTT
- Ten A350-900s and four A350-1000s
Rolls-Royce Collaboration and Supply Chain Challenges:
The A330neo and A350 families, which are powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce engines, faced ongoing supply chain difficulties. Rolls-Royce delivered 120 large engines in the first half of 2024, including the Trent 7000 and Trent XWB variants, which supported Airbus’s widebody deliveries.
December Orders and Closing the Year:
Airbus closed 2024 with 99 new aircraft orders in December, including a significant order on December 27 for 49 A320neo and 26 A321neo aircraft from an undisclosed customer. Additional orders came from Air Canada, Air Algerie, and Royal Jet.
Despite missing both its initial and revised delivery targets, Airbus managed a robust performance in 2024. The company’s ability to navigate supply chain challenges and maintain customer trust underscores the resilience of the aviation industry. These achievements have laid a strong foundation for continued growth and success in 2025.