Airbus’ new Chief Commercial Officer, Lars Wagner, highlighted significant challenges facing the company as it seeks to increase aircraft production. Speaking at the Airline Economics Conference in January 2026, Wagner acknowledged that the current production ramp-up is fraught with issues that need addressing. Despite these hurdles, he reiterated Airbus’ commitment to gradually boosting output, especially for its widebody programs.
In 2025, Airbus delivered a total of 793 aircraft, averaging 67 deliveries per month. Although this figure surpassed the total deliveries in the early years following the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains below the pre-pandemic level of 863 units delivered in 2019. Wagner emphasized the need to tackle several pressing concerns to manage the production increase effectively.
Production Ecosystem Under Pressure
Wagner, who took over as head of Airbus’ commercial aircraft division on January 1, 2026, stated that the “whole ecosystem is under pressure.” He pointed to engine durability as a critical issue that must be resolved first. Airbus has been grappling with ongoing problems related to Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engines, which power both the A320neo and the A220 family of aircraft. A significant manufacturing defect was identified in the powdered metal used for the high-pressure turbine discs, resulting in durability concerns.
This situation has led to operational disruptions for numerous A320 and A220 operators, including Wizz Air and IndiGo. Wagner noted that these disruptions are likely to persist throughout 2026. During the conference, he remarked, “The way I look at it right now is, first, there are a lot of issues that we need to tackle in order to manage the ramp-up. I think we need to solve the durability question first.”
Possibility of the A220-500 Launch
Discussions regarding a larger version of the Airbus A220, commonly referred to as the A220-500, have been gaining traction. Airline CEOs, particularly from carriers reliant on the A220, such as airBaltic, have shown interest in this stretched variant. Other airlines like Breeze Airways may also consider the larger A220 as a suitable replacement for older A320 or Boeing 737 models.
While Airbus has not officially committed to the A220-500’s development, Wagner expressed his desire to see a larger variant come to fruition. Currently, Airbus offers two versions of the A220: the A220-100, capable of seating up to 135 passengers, and the larger A220-300, which accommodates a maximum of 160 passengers in a single-class layout. The A220-100 has a range of 3,600 nautical miles (approximately 6,700 km), while the A220-300’s maximum range is 3,400 nautical miles (about 6,300 km). The proposed A220-500 could potentially increase both range and passenger capacity, with industry speculation suggesting it might hold up to 180 passengers.
In April 2025, Flight Plan reported that Airbus had paused development of the A220-500 due to concerns about the program’s profitability. Guillaume Faury, the CEO of Airbus, has warned that launching the larger model before ensuring profitability could be risky and unsustainable.
Airbus did exceed its delivery target for 2025, achieving 793 aircraft deliveries, exceeding their original goal by three units. The company had initially set a target of 790 deliveries, which was revised downward earlier in the year due to various supplier quality issues impacting fuselage panels. As a result, the delivery flow for the A320 family was disrupted.
In total, Airbus delivered 607 A320neo family aircraft, 93 A220 family aircraft, 57 A350 widebody aircraft, and 36 A330neo long-range widebody planes. Meanwhile, competitor Boeing managed a total of 600 aircraft deliveries in 2025, marking its highest annual total since 2018 and indicating a significant recovery. Boeing’s delivery performance included 447 Boeing 737s, 88 Boeing 787s, 35 Boeing 777s, and 30 Boeing 767s throughout the year.
As Airbus navigates these challenges, the company’s ability to enhance production while addressing critical issues will play a pivotal role in its future success in the competitive aviation market.
