Airbus keeps record delivery goal despite revenue dip

Airbus said on Wednesday that it still aims to deliver a record 870 commercial aircraft this year, even after third-quarter revenues fell as it handed over fewer planes.

The European aircraft maker delivered 196 aircraft in the three months to the end of September, compared with 201 in the same period a year earlier.

Revenue fell 2 percent to 17.5 billion euros, or $19.5 billion, while net profit rose 20 percent to 1.3 billion euros, Airbus said.

The 870-aircraft target would exceed the 863 commercial aircraft Airbus delivered in 2019, before the Covid pandemic disrupted the industry.

Chief executive Guillaume Faury said the company was focused on deliveries and quality in what he called a complex geopolitical and operating environment.

Airbus needs to deliver 323 aircraft in the final quarter to reach its annual target. Lars Wagner, head of the company's commercial aircraft unit, said earlier this month that he was confident Airbus could meet the target because most of the aircraft were in the final stages of assembly.