Airbus has warned major airline customers that deliveries of its A350 jet could face fresh delays over the next 2 to 3 years as the manufacturer struggles with a staffing shortage at a key US plant.
The issue centres on Spirit, the factory in the United States that Airbus bought from Boeing, where the company says it does not have enough workers. The delays affect all A350 buyers, but Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Air India are among the most exposed.
Turkish Airlines has 76 A350s still on order, Emirates is waiting for 53 and Air India has 43 units pending. The disruption also threatens the A350F freighter programme in Spain, where delays to door deliveries mean the first flight is now likely to be pushed back to 2027.
The warning adds to pressure on Airbus at a time when it is trying to ramp up output across its aircraft range. The company has faced repeated production issues and has struggled to keep pace with its own delivery targets.
Airbus has booked strong demand for the A350 family, but its growing order book has not translated into smooth handovers to airlines. Instead, the manufacturer now faces a widening mismatch between demand and the pace at which it can complete aircraft.
Spirit’s staffing problems are only part of the challenge. Airbus is also dealing with engine issues on its smaller aircraft, which has caused further delays and made it harder to maintain production levels.
The A350 has become one of Airbus’s most important long-haul aircraft and a key model for global carriers seeking to renew their fleets. Any prolonged slowdown in deliveries could force airlines to adjust expansion plans, delay route launches or keep older jets in service for longer.
For Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Air India, the latest warning suggests the wait for new aircraft may stretch well beyond earlier expectations. The delays also underline how supply chain problems continue to affect the aviation industry, even as travel demand remains strong.
Airbus has not given a revised delivery timetable for the affected aircraft in the article, but the message to customers is clear: the backlog is likely to persist.
