Airbus Delays A220 Production Amid Supply Chain Challenges

Airbus has delayed assembly of several A220 aircraft scheduled for 2025 and 2026 due to ongoing supply constraints, narrowing the window for achieving its previously stated goal of producing 14 A220 jets per month in 2026, according to Reuters. While Airbus maintains its official guidance, internal planning suggests the 14-per-month rate may not be reached until December 2026, leaving little room for further disruption.

Three industry sources told Reuters that Airbus has temporarily removed multiple aircraft from the 2025 production schedule and nearly 10 aircraft from the 2026 schedule. Current production is seven to eight A220 jets per month, with an internal milestone of 12 per month by mid-2026. However, both the Montreal (Canada) and Mobile (Alabama, US) A220 facilities continue to face parts shortages, production errors, and limited supplier capacity.

A spokesperson for Airbus Canada declined to comment on internal plans, reiterating only the broader Airbus production objectives.

The A220 program, acquired from Bombardier in 2018, has yet to reach profitability. The 110- to 130-seat aircraft does not share major components with other Airbus models, making economies of scale essential. Despite strong market demand, profitability depends on accelerating production.

Supply chain pressures remain the primary disruption. Workers at both facilities have faced shortages of engines and other components. One source noted ongoing wing shortages, linked to Spirit AeroSystems in Belfast. Airbus recently agreed to acquire the Belfast wing plant as part of a broader supply chain stabilization plan.

The delays follow Quebec’s write-down of C$400 million (US286 million) on its 25% stake in the A220 program. Quebec Economy Minister Christine Frechette attributed the losses to “trade tensions and fragile supply chains.” Airbus owns the remaining 75%.

Airbus has prioritized short-term performance by securing deliveries for airline customers. Former Airbus Canada CEO Benoit Schultz set an internal target of 100 A220 deliveries in 2025, one-third higher than in 2024, according to two sources. Airbus delivered 62 A220 aircraft in the first nine months of 2025, though full-year delivery targets per model are not reported. The company’s total commercial aircraft delivery target for 2025 remains 820 units.