Date: February 19, 2026
By: Benjamin Katz and Mauro Orru
Summary:
Airbus has announced it will deliver fewer aircraft than expected in 2026, blaming a significant shortage of engines from U.S. supplier Pratt & Whitney. The European plane maker, the world's largest, said the shortage has forced it to slow production of its bestselling A320 jets. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury publicly rebuked Pratt, saying the supplier is "not respecting their contractual obligations," and confirmed Airbus has triggered a formal dispute clause. The company now forecasts approximately 870 commercial deliveries in 2026 — up from 793 in 2025 but below analyst expectations of 907. Production rate targets for the A320 have also been trimmed. The conflict arises from Pratt's decision to prioritize engine repairs for existing aircraft over supplying new ones. Airbus also reported solid Q4 2025 earnings, with revenue growing 5% to €25.98 billion and net profit rising 6% to €2.58 billion. Meanwhile, rival Boeing has been regaining momentum after years of manufacturing setbacks.
One-Sentence Summary: Airbus cuts its 2026 delivery forecast and launches a formal contract dispute with engine supplier Pratt & Whitney over production shortfalls affecting its popular A320 jet family.
Attribution: For more information, please refer to the Wall Street Journal