Race Against the Calendar: Airbus Initiates Massive "December Sprint" to Hit Revised 790-Jet Target

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In the high-stakes world of aerospace manufacturing, the final weeks of December are always chaotic. But this year, the atmosphere at Airbus delivery centers in Toulouse, Hamburg, and Mobile is electric with an entirely different level of urgency.

Following a challenging year marred by supply chain bottlenecks and a sudden supplier quality crisis, the European planemaker has launched an all-out industrial offensive to meet its revised annual target of 790 commercial aircraft deliveries. With just eight days left in the year, Airbus is attempting to pull off one of the most aggressive delivery surges in its history—handing over nearly 130 jets in a single month to avoid missing its goals.

The Magic Number: 790

Earlier this month, Airbus sent shockwaves through the market by lowering its full-year guidance from 820 deliveries down to "around 790." While a reduction of 30 units might sound minor to the uninitiated, in the world of multi-million dollar assets, it represents billions in deferred revenue.

To hit even this lowered bar, the math is daunting. By the end of November, Airbus had delivered approximately 657 aircraft. That left a gap of roughly 133 planes to be cleared in December alone.

"It’s an industrial marathon followed by a 100-meter sprint," notes aviation analyst Sarah Jenkins. " delivering 130 aircraft in one month requires flawless execution from flight testing to legal paperwork. Every hour counts."

The "Super Friday" Surge

We are already seeing the results of this frantic push. On Friday, December 19, flight trackers picked up an extraordinary flurry of activity. In a single 24-hour window, Airbus reportedly handed over 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft to various customers—a feat that normally takes a week to accomplish.

This "Super Friday" highlights the sheer volume of metal moving through the system. Aircraft for IndiGo, Wizz Air, and Delta Air Lines were seen departing Airbus facilities in rapid succession, as delivery teams worked through the weekend to clear the backlog.

Why the Delay? The "Fuselage Panel" Crisis

Why is Airbus scrambling so late in the game? The answer lies in a specific supply chain snag that emerged in late November.

The manufacturer discovered a quality issue involving fuselage panels supplied by a third-party vendor for the A320neo family. While not an immediate flight safety risk, the issue required time-consuming inspections and replacements on dozens of airframes that were sitting on the final assembly line, effectively freezing deliveries for weeks.

Compounding the headache was a bizarre software glitch identified earlier in the quarter, linked to solar radiation affecting flight control data, which forced a recall and update for thousands of in-service A320s. These dual hits forced Airbus to tap the brakes just as they were preparing to accelerate, creating the massive "logjam" we are seeing now.

The Stakes for Airlines

For airlines, this delivery crunch is more than just a corporate scorecard; it’s about capacity. Carriers like Spirit Airlines (struggling with engine groundings) and Lufthansa are desperate for new, fuel-efficient lift.

A plane delivered on December 30th versus January 2nd makes a massive difference for tax purposes and fleet planning.

• The "Glider" Problem: Throughout 2025, we’ve seen scores of "gliders"—brand new jets sitting without engines due to shortages from CFM and Pratt & Whitney. The fact that Airbus is now pushing planes out the door suggests that the engine supply chain has finally loosened up enough to clear the tarmac.

  
  

The A321XLR Factor

Amidst the chaos of standard deliveries, there is a bright spot of innovation. This month also saw the landmark delivery of the first A321XLR to Central Asian carrier Qanot Sharq, a milestone that proves Airbus can still execute complex new programs while firefighting production issues on established lines.

However, the bulk of the 790 target rests on the shoulders of the standard A320neo and A321neo. These workhorses make up nearly 80% of the delivery volume. If Hamburg or Mobile encounters a snowstorm or a paperwork snag this week, the 790 target could slip through their fingers.

Can They Do It?

History suggests they might. Airbus is famous for its "December Magic," often delivering between 10% and 15% of its entire yearly output in the final month.

As of this morning, December 23, insiders estimate the delivery count is hovering around the 740 mark. That leaves roughly 50 aircraft to go in 8 days—a rate of about 6 planes per day. It is a grueling pace, requiring 24/7 shifts from acceptance crews and pilots, but it is theoretically possible.

The finish line is in sight, but it’s going to be a photo finish.

Image Credit: Google Gemini AI