European air travel, particularly short-haul flights, is facing mounting challenges due to persistent aircraft delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus. These bottlenecks are threatening to limit traffic growth, raise operating costs, and undermine environmental targets for the rest of the decade.
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In its Q1 FY2026 update, Ryanair reported a 4 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger volumes and a consistent load factor of 94 per cent, yet it projected only a 3 per cent growth in full-year traffic to 206 million passengers, citing heavily delayed Boeing deliveries.
Ryanair stated, "We believe European short-haul capacity will remain constrained for the next five years to 2030 as the big two OEMs remain well behind on aircraft deliveries."
In the first half of 2025, Airbus delivered 306 aircraft out of its 820-target, while Boeing delivered 280, with no formal target disclosed. The situation reflects a broader industry issue.
In 2024, Boeing delivered 348 commercial aircraft, down 34 per cent from 528 in 2023 and net orders plummeted 82 per cent from 1,576 to 279. Airbus, in contrast, increased deliveries from 735 aircraft in 2023 to 766 in 2024.
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