Team Perspective
Max Kingsley-Jones, Head of Advisory, Cirium Ascend Consultancy
Total commercial aircraft delivery volumes in the first half were the highest since the peak delivery year of 2018 with both Airbus and Boeing seeing sustained increases in shipment rates.
Cirium data shows that the two OEMs shipped a total of 649 commercial passenger and freighter aircraft in H1 2026, which was 14% more than the prior half-year (572). This put their combined total just 5% below the industry’s H1 peak in 2018 of 681 aircraft. Airbus was the lead producer this year, taking a 54% share of the H1 total.
Airbus actually set its highest first-half delivery total in 2019 (385 aircraft), when Boeing’s volumes were affected by the 737 Max grounding. Airbus’s 2026 total to June was 10% below its 2019 H1 peak.
Airbus/Boeing H1 commercial aircraft deliveries: 2018-2026
Source: Cirium Fleets Analyzer
Cirium is currently projecting a total of around 1,510 Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft deliveries in 2026, meaning that their six-month tally puts the two OEMs at around 43% of the expected full-year tally at the midway point. Airbus is currently projected to deliver around 865 aircraft, and Boeing around 645.
In H1, there was solid growth in single-aisle deliveries across both the A320 family and 737 Max lines, while twin-aisle volumes were essentially flat.
The Boeing 737-8 Max led the H1 2026 delivery rankings, with just shy of 200 shipments; The Airbus A321neo wasn’t far behind on 167. In the widebody sector, the Boeing 787-9 was top of the list with 35 deliveries, ahead of Airbus A350-900 on 20; Boeing’s freighter types, the 767-300F and 777-200LRF, accounted for 22 deliveries between them. Production of both these aircraft types is due to end next year due to new environmental legislation.
Airbus/Boeing H1 commercial aircraft deliveries: 2025 vs 2026
Source: Cirium Fleets Analyzer
From a single-aisle powerplant perspective, it was CFM International that led on the A320neo family, ending the first half with a 57% share of deliveries. This followed a slow start for CFM, which trailed its programme rival Pratt & Whitney until the month of June, when it surged ahead.
Cirium recorded a total of 269 A320neo family commercial deliveries in the first half. This equates to around 40% of Cirium Ascend Consultancy’s latest full-year projection for the Airbus single-aisle of around 660 deliveries. Based on the first-half run rate Airbus achieved, that currently looks achievable – barring any unforeseen disruptions from the supply chain or other dependencies.
