Airbus, Boeing and Embraer delivered a total of 213 aircraft in the First Quarter of 2021 (1Q2021)

With vaccination underway around the world to combat the pandemic, the aviation industry is expected to see 2021 as a year of recovery for the three largest commercial aircraft manufacturers.

Including the three largest manufacturers (Airbus, Boeing and Embraer), a total of 213 commercial aircraft (188 narrowbody and 25 widebody) and 284 orders (275 narrowbody and 48 widebody) were delivered.

 

During the first quarter of 2021, the most delivered narrowbody aircraft (narrow fuselage or single aisle) was the Airbus A320neo with a total of 57 deliveries while the widebody aircraft (wide fuselage or double aisle) most delivered was the Airbus A350-900XWB with 9 deliveries.

 

As for orders, 1Q2021 added to the three largest manufacturers, had a total of 323 aircraft (275 narrowbody and 48 widebody). The most ordered narrowbody aircraft in the period was the Boeing 737 MAX 7 becoming the largest order for the MAX 7 version to date after the MAX's operational resumption. The most-ordered widebody was the KC-46 Tanker, a Boeing 767-200F aircraft adapted in the military version with 27 orders.

 

Airbus, delivery leader in the first quarter of 2021

 

During 1Q2021, Airbus delivered a total of 125 commercial aircraft (114 narrowbody and 11 widebody) and a total of orders for 39 aircraft (38 narrowbody and 1 widebody).

The most delivered aircraft in the first quarter was the Airbus A320neo narrowbody aircraft with 57 deliveries, as mentioned at the beginning of this publication. The widebody aircraft most delivered by the European manufacturer was the A350-900XWB with 9 deliveries, also mentioned at the beginning of this publication.

As for orders, the Airbus A220-300 was the narrowbody most ordered by the European manufacturer with 20 orders. Airbus' most-ordered widebody, on the other hand, was a single A330-200MRTT (A330-200 aircraft configured in the military version).

 

According to the DSM Forecast International website, the results were above analysts' expectations, reflecting above-expected aircraft deliveries, but also helped by the results of an ongoing restructuring program.

Before the pandemic, Airbus had targeted a 5 percent increase in the A320 rate to 63 jets per month from 2021, and was also discussing an additional increase with its supply chain that could have driven the production rate to as high as 67 aircraft per month, or 804 per year, until 2023. This would put the company within reach of a total of 1,000 jet deliveries per year. These plans have now been shelved. On January 21, 2021, Airbus launched an updated production rate plan and now expects to increase A320 production from the current rate from 40 per month to 43 in the third quarter and 45 in the fourth quarter of 2021. This represents a further increase slower than previously forecast 47 aircraft per month starting in July. The A220's monthly production rate has been increased from four to five aircraft per month until the end of the first quarter of 2021. Widebody's production rates will remain at current levels, with monthly production rates of around five and two for the A350 and A330, respectively. With only five A380s in its portfolio on March 31, 2021, the end of the A380 program is approaching. The last aircraft is expected to be delivered to Emirates in May 2022.

 

Despite the relatively strong first quarter, Airbus maintained its February 2021 forecast that it expected to at least equal the 566 deliveries for 2020 in the current year.

 

Airbus still planned to increase production of its single-aisle jets to 43 per month in the third quarter of 2021 and 45 in the fourth quarter, compared to the current rate of 40 per month. That number dropped from 60 before the pandemic.

 

Boeing, order leader in the first quarter of 2021

 

The last two years for the American Boeing have been challenging with the grounding of the MAXs. With the resumption of operations of the MAX family aircraft in November 2020, Boeing in the first quarter of 2021 apparently had “improvements” in the results presented in the period.

 

Boeing obtained a total of 77 aircraft orders (63 narrowbody and 14 widebody) and a total of 282 aircraft orders (235 narrowbody and 47 widebody). Boeing's commercial planes delivered 77 planes during the quarter and the order book included more than 4,000 planes valued at $ 283 billion.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was the manufacturer's narrowbody aircraft most delivered in the period with 39 aircraft. The most delivered widebody in Boeing's 1Q2021 was the Boeing 777-300ER with 5 aircraft.

The huge order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft by Southwest Airlines (a record order for the MAX version since the family resumed), it became the manufacturer's most-ordered narrowbody aircraft in 1Q2021. The widebody most ordered by the manufacturer Boeing was the KC-46 Tanker, (aircraft Boeing 767-200F adapted for military version) with 27 units ordered.

 

According to Boeing, the 737 program is currently producing at a low rate and continues to hope to gradually increase production to 31 per month in early 2022 with additional gradual increases to match market demand. Boeing will continue to evaluate the production rate plan as it monitors the market environment and engages in discussions with customers.

 

The company also resumed deliveries of 787 in late March. During the quarter, the 787 program consolidated the final assembly move to South Carolina and transitioned to the previously announced production rate of 5 aircraft per month.

 

Boeing's commercial aircraft industry continues to work on the development of the 777X and the company still expects to deliver the first 777X in late 2023. The combined production rate for the 777 / 777X is transitioning to 2 aircraft per month.

 

The Brazilian Embraer

 

The second Brazilian manufacturer Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) in its official statement with Investors delivered a total of 22 jets in the first quarter of 2021, nine of which are commercial and 13 executive. However, according to data collected by the Planespotters website, the manufacturer obtained a total of 11 aircraft deliveries. As of March 31, 2021, the firm order backlog totaled USD 14.2 billion.

 

The new E195-E2 was the most delivered in the period with a total of 6 deliveries.

During 1Q2021, KLM Cityhopper, a regional subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, received its first E195-E2 jet, through ICBC Aviation Leasing, bringing the total number of Embraer jets operating to the KLM Cityhopper fleet to 50.

 

In the same period, Air Peace, the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa, received its first E195-E2 jet. Air Peace thus became the first E2 customer in Africa, and is also the global launching company of Embraer's premium innovative design of staggered seats.

 

On April 23, 2021, the aeronautical company has as a customer a firm order for 30 E195-E2 aircraft that was not disclosed, with deliveries beginning in 2022. Its thirty confirmed orders will be included in Embraer's order book in the second quarter.