In 2024, Airbus experienced a significant drop in its stock market value after admitting to being overly optimistic in its forecasts for the year. The company had to reduce its aircraft delivery capacity due to issues in its supply chain and is facing accounting losses in its aerospace division. This led to a cut in expected profits for 2024.
At the start of the year, Airbus aimed to deliver 800 commercial aircraft, but this target has now been reduced to 770 due to supply chain problems affecting engines, aerostructures, and cabin equipment. Additionally, Airbus has postponed its goal of manufacturing 75 A320 family aircraft per month. The company has also acknowledged problems in its aerospace division, Space Systems, with additional charges now totaling 900 million euros.
As a result of these challenges, Airbus has revised its operating profit forecast for 2024 to 5.5 billion euros, down 19% from previous estimates. The company has also adjusted its cash flow forecast to 3,500 million euros. Analysts have attributed the lower deliveries to supply chain issues with engine manufacturers CFM, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce. These challenges have affected Airbus’s ability to fulfill customer orders on time and lead to delays in production. Analysts emphasize the importance of addressing these supply chain issues to ensure the company can meet demand for its products in the future.
