Airbus may have pushed the delivery of up to 20 A321neo aircraft from September into the fourth quarter, according to a Reuters report, as the manufacturer deals with a recently disclosed quality issue affecting fuselage panels.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the outlet said the aircraft had been scheduled for delivery in September and that at least some of the delays were linked to the quality problem. Airbus declined to comment on individual delivery schedules or preliminary delivery figures for the month.
The disruption is expected to result in a dip in Airbus deliveries for September compared with its original plans. The manufacturer has not disclosed preliminary figures for the month and declined to comment on individual delivery schedules.
Airbus delivered 61 commercial aircraft in August, taking its total for the first eight months of the year to 475. The company continues to target around 870 deliveries in 2026, leaving 395 aircraft to be handed over between September and December.
20 aircraft add to fourth-quarter workload
Moving as many as 20 A321neos out of September does not change the annual target, but it concentrates more of the remaining workload into the final quarter.
Air Data News calculated earlier this week that Airbus needed to deliver almost 99 aircraft per month from September through December to reach 870 aircraft. Any shortfall in September will increase the average required during October, November and December.
Airbus has previously relied on strong year-end delivery campaigns, but the latest disruption comes while the manufacturer is already dealing with supply-chain constraints, particularly involving engines and cabin equipment.
The quality problem involves fuselage panels supplied by Italy's Leonardo through its TESI subsidiary. Around 500 A321neo aircraft are affected, including approximately 250 already delivered to customers and another 250 still in production.
Inspections found areas where coating thickness did not meet specifications. Airbus has said the issue does not affect the structural integrity or safety of the aircraft, but affected sections require inspection and, where necessary, rework before delivery.
Repairs can take up to nine days depending on the aircraft and the extent of the work. Airbus has also brought forward repairs on aircraft already in service, with the work expected to be completed within two years.
September's final delivery total has not yet been released. Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025, while its current target of around 870 aircraft would require a significant increase in production and deliveries during the closing months of 2026.
