Airbus has urged its employees to get back on track following a weak start to 2026. The European planemaker warned that it will need to achieve the best second half in its history to meet annual targets. In a letter sent to staff and cited by Bloomberg, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury labeled first-quarter financial results and aircraft deliveries as poor, asserting that the company must accomplish more in less time.
“Our business environment is no reason to reduce our ambitions or our strategy: the demand for our products and services remains strong,” the executive stated. He added that the current context represents an opportunity to address inefficiencies and further improve how teams work together. During the first quarter, Airbus recorded a 26% drop in profits to 586 million euros, heavily penalized by a reduced number of aircraft deliveries.
Between January and March, the manufacturer delivered 114 commercial aircraft, a 16% decline compared to the 136 units delivered during the same period in 2025. To reverse this situation, Guillaume Faury stressed the need to accelerate new product launches and ensure impeccable customer service. The CEO identified three priority areas for improvement to help the company meet its defined goals for this year.
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These priorities include focusing on core fundamentals and eliminating resource-draining activities, improving quality to avoid inefficiencies, and increasing the required on-site workplace presence for employees. Starting in September, workers will be expected in the office four days a week, up from the current three. By May, Airbus had delivered 262 commercial aircraft, roughly 20 planes ahead of the same period last year.
After delivering 793 aircraft in 2025—which was three more than the revised downward target caused by A320 family supply chain issues—Airbus has set a production goal of 870 commercial aircraft for this year. Meeting this objective will require a massive operational turnaround in the coming months. Management remains confident that the robust global demand for aviation will sustain the company’s long-term strategic ambitions.
