Airbus Sees Pratt Engine Issues Persisting In 2026
By Robert Wall
Airbus is seeing an easing in supply chain challenges, but expects uncertainty involving Pratt & Whitney engine deliveries to persist in 2026, said Christian Scherer, departing CEO of the commercial aircraft unit.
Single-aisle engines were a pain-point throughout 2025. “We see that this trend continuing and in particular with Pratt & Whitney with whom we are still in discussions,” Scherer told reporters after the company disclosed 2025 order and delivery figures.
Airbus and the RTX commercial aircraft engine unit have yet to agree on geared turbofan supply for the foreseeable future, he said. “It is an issue that we need to resolve,” he said, adding, “All the other engine situations are so far under control and satisfactory so.”
Airbus in the middle of last year had 60 aircraft that were awaiting engines. The number of so-called gliders is now at a low, manageable number, Scherer said.
The airframer ended the year with a record backlog of 8,754 aircraft after delivering 793 aircraft and booking 889 net orders.
Pricing was good, Scherer said, noting that demand remained strong for air traffic and new aircraft for growth and replacement.
The 793 aircraft deliveries, up 3.5% from 2024, were broadly in line with the company’s guidance after it was revised down to about 790 units in December 2025 from 820.
Airbus, throughout the year, struggled with supplier issues and revised its guidance because of flaws in A320 fuselage panels.
Engines, in the end, were not the issue. While late, had it not been for the panel issue, Airbus could have made its original delivery target, he said, noting the fuselage panel issue should be resolved this year.
Scherer suggested that some of the wider supply chain challenges were easing. “We see significant reduction in missing parts,” he said.
Although Airbus in recent years has missed aircraft delivery targets multiple times, Scherer said he does not think the company should be more conservative in setting guidance. “It is better to be ambitious than not to pursue the demand for our products,” he said. Airbus is expected to set full-year targets next month.
Scherer reaffirmed Airbus’ plan to boost single-aisle output to a rate of 75 aircraft a month. The A350 production ramp up, which stalled because of fuselage production problems with supplier Spirit AeroSystems, should gain pace now that Airbus has brought the key function in-house.
The longtime Airbus executive also said that he was upbeat about the trajectory of the A220, noting that a lot of work was going into whether to launch a stretch version of the aircraft.
The sales momentum Airbus had with its A350 freighter was one of the highlights of 2025, Scherer said. The company that aims to fly the aircraft for the first time this year booked 28 gross orders in 2025, with eight cancellations.
