Airbus lifts H1 profit on higher jet deliveries

Airbus (AIRp) recorded a step-up in commercial aircraft activity in the first six months of 2026, delivering 351 jets compared with 306 in the same period of 2025. The delivery mix included 44 A220s, 271 A320 Family aircraft, 10 A330s and 26 A350s, reflecting sustained demand across single-aisle and widebody programmes. This higher delivery cadence was a key driver of the company’s improved financial performance in the first half.

Consolidated revenues for the period reached €33.2 billion, representing a 12% year-on-year increase. The rise in sales was mainly associated with the greater number of commercial aircraft handed over to customers, supplemented by services activity. The overall result shows a clear link between the ramp-up in industrial output and top-line growth.

Airbus’ (AIRp) profitability strengthened alongside revenue growth in the first half of 2026. Consolidated EBIT Adjusted increased to €2,727 million, up from €2,204 million a year earlier. This improvement indicates better earnings generation from the company’s operations as higher volumes flowed through to profit.

Net income for the first half reached €2.24 billion. The combination of rising deliveries, higher revenue and improved adjusted EBIT supported the bottom line. Management highlighted that performance in Defence and Space also contributed, complementing the gains from commercial aircraft.

The second quarter of 2026 showed particularly strong momentum for Airbus. Adjusted operating profit for the quarter rose 54% year on year to €2.43 billion, underscoring the impact of higher aircraft deliveries and operational leverage over the three-month period. Quarterly revenue climbed to €20.53 billion, reinforcing the trend of accelerating business activity compared with the prior year.

The sharp year-on-year increase in second-quarter profitability signals that the benefits of the production ramp-up are increasingly visible in the company’s earnings. It also provides a strong base for the remainder of the year, assuming operating conditions remain broadly stable.

Despite the stronger-than-year-earlier results in both the first half and the second quarter, Airbus left its full-year 2026 guidance unchanged. The company continues to target around 870 commercial aircraft deliveries for the year. It also maintains objectives for adjusted EBIT of about €7.5 billion and free cash flow before customer financing of around €4.5 billion.

Keeping guidance steady suggests that Airbus is focused on executing its existing plan while managing its industrial ramp-up. The first-half performance, including solid revenue growth and higher profitability, indicates that the company is progressing toward its stated targets while navigating a complex operating environment.