April 28, 2026 Airbus profits drop 50% as cash burn spikes Airbus reported a 55% drop in net profit for the first quarter of 2026, with its adjusted operating profit in passenger and cargo aircraft plunging by 84% amid higher-than-expected cash outflows.
Financial Performance and Cash Burn
The European aerospace giant posted a net profit of €586 million ($635 million) for the quarter, down 25% from the same period last year but slightly above analyst expectations. However, the company burned through nearly €2.5 billion in cash before customer financing, far exceeding expert forecasts. This marks a sharp reversal from the previous year, when cash outflow stood at just €310 million.
Revenue across the Airbus Group fell 7% year-over-year to €12.7 billion, reflecting ongoing challenges in its core commercial aircraft division. The adjusted operating profit in passenger and freight aircraft operations collapsed by 84%, underscoring pressure on margins. Airbus attributed part of the cash drain to upfront investments and supply chain adjustments, though it provided no detailed breakdown of the expenditures.
2026 Targets and Delivery Plans
Despite the weak quarterly results, Airbus reaffirmed its 2026 targets, including plans to deliver approximately 870 commercial aircraft this year—slightly above its record 2019 output. The company also maintained its goal of achieving an adjusted operating profit of around €7.5 billion for the full year.