Airbus reports higher profit and revenue

Airbus reported a net profit of 3.59 billion euros for the first nine months of 2026, a 36% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Revenue also rose by 7%, reaching 50.6 billion euros, driven mainly by an increase in commercial aircraft deliveries.

Commercial aircraft deliveries rise

Airbus delivered 547 commercial aircraft between January and September, compared to 507 during the same period in 2025. This total includes 68 A220s, 428 A320s, 13 A330s, and 38 A350s. Revenue from this activity increased by 8%, reaching 36.7 billion euros, though the weaker dollar somewhat reduced these gains.

Adjusted operating income improves

On a group level, adjusted operating income, or adjusted EBIT, reached 4.50 billion euros, an 8% increase. This figure measures underlying performance by excluding certain elements such as currency effects, restructuring charges, or acquisition and disposal operations. Published operating income rose more strongly, by 35%, to 4.55 billion euros.

Strong demand for aircraft

Airbus recorded 1,174 gross commercial aircraft orders over nine months, compared to 610 one year ago. After cancellations, net orders reached 1,105 aircraft, compared to 514 in 2025. The order book stood at 9,310 aircraft at the end of September.

Production targets remain unchanged

The group maintains its production ramp-up targets. For the A320 family, it aims to produce 70 to 75 aircraft per month by the end of 2027, before stabilizing at 75. The target for A220s remains at 13 per month in 2028. For wide-body aircraft, Airbus expects to reach 12 A350s per month in 2028 and five A330s per month in 2029.

Commercial aviation margins remain tight

Despite higher activity, the adjusted EBIT for commercial aviation increased by only 3%, to 3.36 billion euros. The positive effect of deliveries is partially offset by higher research and development expenses and a less favorable currency coverage rate.

Third quarter shows contrasting results

The cumulative results for the first nine months mask a more contrasting third quarter. Between July and September, revenue declined by 2%, to 17.47 billion euros, and adjusted EBIT dropped by 9%, to 1.77 billion euros. Airbus cites lower commercial aircraft deliveries and a less favorable distribution of delivered aircraft in terms of profitability.

Integration of Spirit AeroSystems affects results

The integration of industrial activities acquired from Spirit AeroSystems also weighs on the accounts. Over nine months, Airbus records a negative adjustment of 235 million euros, of which 112 million in the third quarter. However, quarterly net profit increased by 20%, to 1.34 billion euros.

Defence and Space division performs well

Airbus Defence and Space reports an increase in activity and results over nine months. Its revenue increased by 5%, to 9.34 billion euros, while adjusted EBIT jumped by 60%, to 672 million euros. The division attributes this improvement to higher volumes and better profitability across its activities. Order intake reached 11.5 billion euros, compared to 6.8 billion one year ago.

Helicopters division faces challenges

The situation is less favorable at Airbus Helicopters. Despite an increase in deliveries, to 226 aircraft compared to 218, revenue remains nearly stable at 5.65 billion euros. Adjusted EBIT decreased by 10%, to 445 million euros, due to a less favorable distribution of deliveries. Net orders reached 311 helicopters, compared to 306 during the first nine months of 2025.

Cash flow remains negative

The available cash flow before customer financing remains negative, at -1.27 billion euros, compared to -914 million one year ago. Airbus explains this mainly by the evolution of the working capital requirement, notably the accumulation of inventory linked to concentrated deliveries at the end of the year and the ramp-up of various activities. Net cash stands at 7.04 billion euros as of September 30, compared to 12.17 billion at the end of 2025.

Annual targets remain in focus

For the entire year of 2026, Airbus confirms three targets: approximately 870 commercial aircraft deliveries; an adjusted EBIT of approximately 7.5 billion euros; and an available cash flow before customer financing of approximately 4.5 billion euros. With 547 aircraft delivered by the end of September, the company must still deliver approximately 323 in the fourth quarter to meet its annual target.

Company emphasizes clear roadmap

"Our roadmap is clear and our teams are mobilized to achieve our targets," states Guillaume Faury. Airbus notes that its forecasts assume the absence of additional disruptions to global trade, the economy, air traffic, the supply chain, or its internal operations. These targets include currently applicable tariffs but exclude merger and acquisition operations.