AIRBUS AND AIRLINERS
Airbus is Europe’s largest aerospace company, and it manufactures and delivers commercial aircraft to many of the world’s largest airlines. It also manufactures helicopters and space technologies. Airbus is currently the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer by deliveries, having overtaken its biggest rival Boeing in 2019.
- AIRBUS AND MAJOR AIRLINERS
The world’s leading airlines require large fleets to serve their routes; in fact, some 9,000 commercial aircraft are currently in the air at any one time, and most of them are manufactured by Airbus or Boeing. It’s worth noting that American airliners still dominate in terms of the largest fleet size. Airliners such as United, American, and Delta are the world’s top three, while Chinese and Middle Eastern airliners are growing quickly. Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, which have pushed out many major national carriers, are also in the top ten. Most major airliners have a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
- THE FALL OF BOEING AND THE RISE OF AIRBUS
For many years, Boeing was the leading aircraft manufacturer. In 2018, the company took 5000 orders for its new 737 Max jets, but in October, one of the new aircraft crashed, claiming the lives of all onboard. In March 2019, the same Boeing model crashed in Ethiopia. Not only did these crashes see those models grounded, but some airliners cancelled their orders on safety grounds amid accusations of Boeing's incompetence and misleading regulators. Amid regulatory scrutiny and COVID, Boeing was far slower in producing aircraft. From 2019, Airbus surpassed Boeing in deliveries, and the European company has out-delivered Boeing every year since. Airbus capitalised on Boeing’s difficulties by increasing production.
- AIRBUS VS BOEING DELIVERIES: PRESIDENT TRUMP ‘INTERVENES’
In 2024, Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft, while Boeing delivered 350, representing a dramatic gap. Early forecasts suggest that Airbus will deliver 820 aircraft in 2025, while Boeing could deliver around 600. The battle for orders is also about Airbus’ strength. The company’s traditional reputation for reliability and strong demand for the A330neo and A350 models, and the introduction of the new A321XLR were major factors. Trade tensions have also given Airbus an advantage in Chinese markets, and the company secured more orders for its A350 model from China Airlines in 2025. However, in May 2025, President Trump toured Middle East countries; Qatar Airways agreed to purchase Boeing aircraft worth $96 billion. With Boeing being supported by the Trump administration, Airbus cannot afford to surrender its lead.
- AIRLINERS: EUROPE MIXED, US UNDERPERFORMANCE
The airline industry was hit by COVID, with passenger numbers only returning to pre-COVID levels by 2023 – 2024. In order to stay afloat, companies had to cut routes and staff. In the most recent period, most airliners have seen a period of expansion. However, with the 2025 trade war, many carriers are concerned about increased costs and the impact of a potential slowdown or recession on the tourism industry. Major American airliners like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are trading in the red on global stock markets, but European airlines, Lufthansa, IAG (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus), and easyJet are trading only slightly lower. European airports are seeing a passenger traffic surge in 2025, with low-cost airlines reporting strong numbers while Lufthansa reported a revenue increase of 10% from last year in Q1. The trade war has also negatively impacted US airliners more than European rivals, with the latter less exposed to US-China trade flows.
Conclusion –
Airbus is expected to keep its lead against Boeing in the near future, delivering more planes than Boeing. Even if Boeing is favoured by the US administration, which could ease regulatory hurdles and influence allied countries to acquire Boeing jets, the company still faces regulatory authorities outside the US and difficulties in its global supply chain due to the trade war. Airbus is widely praised for its product innovation, especially in the key mid-sized aircraft segment, and airliners are not inclined to switch. But if the trade war blows hot and causes a recession, both companies and airliners would suffer. If passenger numbers fall, airliners could cancel orders for new or existing aircraft, as some did during COVID-19. But if trade tariffs/tensions de-escalate, the entire industry could potentially benefit.