News about Airbus

The article examines how Elon Musk's businesses, including Starlink and Tesla's defense-related technology, are affecting traditional defense and aerospace stocks. It profiles three large diversified contractors from a screener. AeroVironment generates about US$1.42b from Autonomous Systems and roughly US$584 million from Space, Cyber and Directed Energy, with a market value of around US$6 billion. Hensoldt generates about €2.20b from Sensors and €504 million from Optronics, and is valued at roughly €9.70b; the article highlights its shift toward software-defined defence platforms. Airbus generates about €55.6b from its commercial segment, €8.96b from Airbus Helicopters and €13.9b from Airbus Defence and Space, with a market value of around €152.3b, and the article notes political-customer risks in programs such as the A400M and Eurofighter. The three companies are a sample from a full screen of 41 more contractors.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified Boeing's 737 MAX 10, a step the article says reduces risk and should improve earnings, cash flow and competitiveness against Airbus' A321neo. Management had repeatedly said it expected certification in 2027, but a history of groundings, delays and FAA production caps had left investors apprehensive. Once the already-built MAX 10s are delivered, Boeing will book revenue and cash that is currently tied up in undelivered aircraft; about 30% of its 737 backlog is MAX 10s, and larger aircraft typically carry higher margins. The MAX 10 has a range of 3,100 nautical miles and a maximum capacity of 230 passengers, below the A321neo's 3,400 to 4,700 nautical miles and 244 passengers, but it lets airlines add short-haul capacity without switching to Airbus planes.

As of the end of September 2026, Airbus had 9,310 aircraft awaiting delivery, a record high, with the A320 accounting for 7,535 (81%). According to Christoph Zammert, A320 programme director, an A320 ordered today would not be delivered until 2034. Airbus delivered 547 aircraft in the first nine months, up 8% year on year, and must hand over about 323 more in the last three months to reach roughly 870 for 2026. Pressures include a surface treatment defect found on about 500 A321s, an early wear issue in Pratt & Whitney engines that has grounded about 500 A320neos, and cabin interior quality problems. Airbus still plans to raise A320 output to 70-75 a month by late 2027 but has no intention of expanding beyond that target.