According to sources cited by Reuters, Airbus delivered 8% more aircraft in 2019. This is up from 800 aircraft delivered in 2018. The figures are yet to be confirmed by the European aircraft manufacturer.

Airbus, 2019, Deliveries
The planemaker had already output by a third. Photo: Getty Images

While the figures are yet to be verified by the aerospace manufacturing giant, Reuters is reporting that Airbus delivered a total of 863 aircraft throughout the course of 2019. This is up from a total of 800 aircraft that were delivered in 2018.

While things are looking good for Airbus, the same can't be said for Boeing. The American manufacturer is being forced to suspend production of its 737 MAX as undelivered aircraft pile up.

Airbus' year of deliveries to November

Airbus' deliveries are currently being confirmed for December. They are usually released within the first week of the month. However, we do have confirmed figures for Airbus' deliveries up until the end of November. In the first 11 months of the year, Airbus delivered 725 aircraft, roughly 66 aircraft per month.

In order to have hit the 863 figure, the manufacturer would need to have delivered 138 aircraft in the month of December. The most aircraft delivered in a month by Airbus was 81 in May. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, just 39 were delivered in January. According to Reuters: "[Airbus] deployed extra resources until hours before midnight on New Year’s Eve to reach 863 aircraft for the year".

British Airways, Airbus A350, Centenary
British Airways received four A350s in 2019. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

Aircraft breakdown

Not including December deliveries, Airbus delivered aircraft from each of its current families of aircraft. From the Airbus A220 family, the company delivered 41 aircraft, a mix of the -100 and -300 versions. From the A320 family, 537 aircraft were delivered. This was made up of 88 classic engine option aircraft, and 449 neo aircraft. The most delivered narrowbody was the A320neo, with 312 deliveries.

Moving on to look at widebody deliveries, up to the end of November, Airbus delivered 45 Airbus A330s, of which 34 were neos. 96 Airbus A350s accompanied the A330. This was made up of 77 -900s, and 19 -1000s. Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic received their first A350-1000s this year. Last but not least, Airbus delivered six A380s up until November, having killed off the program in February.

ANA Airbus
ANA became the last customer to receive its first Airbus A380, taking two of the aircraft during the course of 2019. Photo: Airbus

Meanwhile, if you're interested in how many aircraft were delivered per month, take a look at the following list:

  • Jan - 39;
  • Feb - 49;
  • Mar - 74;
  • Apr - 70;
  • May - 81;
  • Jun - 76;
  • Jul - 70;
  • Aug - 41;
  • Sep - 71;
  • Oct - 77;
  • Nov - 77.

Of course, once Airbus announces its confirmed figures for December, and the whole of 2019, we will report on those as appropriate. The same can be said for Boeing, who is expected to release their Q4 results on January 29th.

What do you make of Airbus' 2019 delivery figures? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.