Airbus has confirmed reports that its deliveries fell by as much as 11% in the first quarter.
The European plane maker said Tuesday that it delivered 127 airplanes in the quarter, compared to 142 in the same period last year.
The announcement confirms a report from Reuters published on Friday, which cited industry sources saying that deliveries missed an informal target in the high 130s, paving the way for a 12-week push to improve its trajectory by the middle of the year, when the company is expected to either confirm or review an annual target of 720 planes.
Airbus also announced the first fruit of said push, noting the sale of four A350 freighters to an undisclosed customer.
All told, the company sold 20 airplanes in March, bringing its total for the year to 156, or a net total of 142 after cancelations.
Those orders include, as previously announced, 15 A350s for Lufthansa and four A350 freighters for an undisclosed buyer.
Shares of Airbus fell 0.4% Tuesday afternoon in Paris.
Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel