Airbus Delivers 81 Jets in May as Romanian Helicopter Order and German Fighter Coalition Buoy Outlook

Airbus outpaced Boeing with 81 aircraft deliveries in May, reaffirms 2024 target of 870 handovers. Stock remains down 11% year-to-date despite strong demand and a €300M helicopter deal.

The European aerospace giant is posting strong operational metrics even as its stock struggles to regain altitude. Airbus churned out 81 commercial aircraft in May, outpacing Boeing’s 60 deliveries, while CEO Guillaume Faury reiterated the full-year target of around 870 handovers — a goal that hinges on supply-chain stability rather than new product launches. The A220-500 remains on the back burner as the company focuses on keeping assembly lines running smoothly.

That operational heft comes against a backdrop of rising fuel costs and geopolitical friction. Brent crude is hovering near $93 a barrel after military clashes between the US and Iran close to the Strait of Hormuz, and kerosene has climbed to as much as $200 per barrel. European airlines are shouldering an estimated €1.7 billion in extra fuel costs this year. Yet Faury sees no wave of cancellations or deferrals; carriers still need to replace ageing fleets — the global average aircraft age sits at a record 15.2 years — and demand for fuel-efficient models such as the A320neo and A350 remains robust. The industry order backlog now exceeds 18,000 planes.

A fresh tailwind comes from the rotorcraft division. Airbus Helicopters secured a contract worth nearly €300 million from Romania’s interior ministry for twelve multi-purpose helicopters — seven H160s destined for civil protection and surveillance duties, and five H145s for rescue and medical evacuations. The deal underscores the group’s ability to win in both civil and government segments.

On the defence side, Airbus has moved quickly after the collapse of the Franco-German FCAS fighter project. At the ILA Berlin airshow, the company announced the formation of “Team Gen 6,” a consortium that includes Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, MTU Aero Engines, MBDA, Liebherr, Autoflug, and Rohde & Schwarz. The group has submitted a position paper to the German government advocating for a sixth-generation combat aircraft built on an open architecture that could be compatible with the UK-Japan-Italian GCAP programme. Berlin would take the lead this time around. Airbus also showcased its drone portfolio at ILA, including the 13-metre U760 Ravenstorm, an electronic-warfare platform slated to fly in the early 2030s, and previewed the autonomous U145 cargo helicopter.

Yet challenges persist in the civil business. After a weak first quarter, profit halved, and Faury sent an internal memo urging the workforce to boost productivity. Engine deliveries from Pratt & Whitney remain a source of uncertainty. Still, May brought 379 gross orders, and the order book shows little sign of erosion.

At the bourse, the stock closed at €43.40, up about 3% over the past week but still down roughly 11% year?to?date. The shares trade nearly 8% below their 200?day moving average and sit 21% below the 52?week peak of €55. Investors are now watching the ILA, which runs until June 14, and awaiting a German government decision on the next fighter — whether to buy more F?35s, join the GCAP programme, or back the newly formed Airbus?led consortium.