Airbus posts lower deliveries, wins bumper order from private customer By Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) – Airbus deliveries fell in August after a sharp rise the previous month, the European plane maker said on Friday, a drop that analysts said leaves it tasked with delivering solid year-on-year growth for to achieve an annual goal. .

The planemaker said it delivered 47 planes, down from 77 in July, to reach 447 this year.

It aims to hit 770 deliveries for the full year after revising the target downwards over the summer due to delays in receiving engines, cabin equipment and other parts. Industry sources said the supply chain remains fragile,

“August is typically a weaker month for Airbus in terms of deliveries,” Jefferies analyst Chloe Lemarie said in a note, adding that Airbus needs to increase deliveries by an average of 7% per month compared to the year-to-date pace past to achieve his goal.

Airbus has booked 46 new orders, including the previously announced 30 A330neos for Cathay Pacific and a rare order from a single “private customer” for three A350-900s and three A320neos worth more than $1 billion at prices of catalog that tend to be used only once. non-discount commercial airline purchases.

Airbus declined to comment, but typically uses the designation “private customer” to describe planes bought for use by VIPs in luxury configurations or by governments. Demand for such aircraft remains strong in the Middle East, analysts say.

Many commercial airlines initially retain their identity when ordering aircraft to protect their marketing strategies from competitors, but those deals are classified as “Undisclosed” in Airbus’ monthly order and delivery data.

Airbus said it had won 432 gross orders so far this year, or a net total of 413 after cancellations.