Boeing Surpasses Airbus in Quarterly Deliveries After Seven-Year Lag

Boeing has finally surpassed Airbus in quarterly deliveries after seven years of trailing behind. The American planemaker delivered 143 aircraft in the first quarter of 2026, a 16% drop year-on-year for its European counterpart, which managed just 114 units.

The root cause of Airbus's delivery shortfall is an ongoing engine shortage, with 550 grounded aircraft awaiting repairs taking precedence over new deliveries. This has taken a toll on Airbus's bottom line, with the company's adjusted operating profit falling 52% to EUR 300 million in Q1 2026.

Boeing's recovery has been aided by the FAA lifting previous production caps, allowing output to reach 42 aircraft per month in early 2026. The company is targeting 52 per month by 2027 or 2028 and is in the final stages of certifying both the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10.