This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “A Little Embarrassing to Admit: Dozens of Airbus”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
Beyond an engine shortage, the aircraft manufacturer states that "the biggest bottleneck" it currently faces is a lack of toilets to equip its wide-body aircraft.
"You can't really build an airplane without toilets?" quipped Christian Scherer, head of commercial aircraft at Airbus, where dozens of aircraft are awaiting delivery due to shortages of engines and sanitary ware.
L'A350-900-Airbus
This notable remark from the senior executive of the European aerospace giant illustrates the chronic fragilities in the sector's supply chain, where the slightest bottleneck can jeopardize ambitious commercial programs.
“It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but right now, the biggest bottleneck we are encountering on wide-body aircraft, particularly the A350, is the toilets,” said Christian Scherer during a press briefing on Tuesday in Toulouse, ahead of the Bourget Air and Space Show which will be held from June 16 to 22 near Paris.
L'A350-900-Airbus
He did not name Safran, which manufactures toilet equipment for the A350, but criticized CFM, the joint venture between Safran and the American group GE that supplies engines for single-aisle aircraft. Airbus regularly accuses it of favoring airlines to the detriment of aircraft manufacturers. According to Christian Scherer, around forty aircraft are currently ready but cannot be delivered because the engines were not supplied on time.
Target of 820 Aircraft Deliveries This Year Maintained
The executive, however, emphasized that these delays do not call into question the target of delivering 820 aircraft this year, even if the results from the start of the year are sluggish, urging not to "extrapolate" monthly figures. Without these engine complications, "our delivery performance would be slightly above forecasts, which indicates that the overall health of this ecosystem has improved considerably," he assured. "We have not changed our delivery forecast of 820" aircraft in 2025, he added.
L'A350-900-Airbus
In 2024, the aircraft manufacturer narrowly missed its delivery commitments, despite supplier chain problems, because the Safran group had favored it in the final months of the year. "We know what the problems are, particularly with CFM, and we have developed a much more mature and professional working relationship," said the executive.
