PARIS (Reuters) – Airbus delivered at least 605 airliners in 2021 and this count could reach 611 subject to the conclusions of the auditors, we learned Friday from sources in the sector.
Reuters reported this week that Airbus had surpassed its target of 600 deliveries for the whole of 2021, thus maintaining its lead over US rival Boeing.
Airbus will provide an update on its orders and deliveries after markets close on Monday, while Boeing will release its data on Tuesday.
Airbus declined to comment beforehand.
Deliveries were partially guaranteed during the crisis by workarounds that allow some carriers to delay the recognition of new planes in their balance sheets – agreements also subject to review by auditors.
Attention is now shifting to production rates of narrow-body models and aircraft deliveries for 2022, as the aviation industry attempts to remobilize supply chains weakened by the crisis.
The shipping delays and the shortage of chips affect in particular the supply of seats and catering equipment on board (“galleys”), indicated industrial sources, which specify that planes scheduled for delivery in 2022 would have a few months delay. Deliveries could be postponed to 2023, according to a source.
Airbus has not given a forecast of deliveries for 2022, but analysts believe the number is likely to be significantly higher than in 2021.
(Tim Hepher report; French version Elena Vardon, edited by Sophie Louet)
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