PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus had a relatively slow start to the year in commercial jet production and deliveries after sprinting towards the finish line in December following months of supply chain turbulence, according to data from UK-based Cirium Ascend.

The European planemaker handed over around 22 aircraft in January, global head of consultancy Rob Morris told Reuters, down from 30 a year earlier.

The start of the year can be fluid as analysts try to unpick which aircraft fall in which period, and some sources say the final tally can be slightly higher than observable deliveries.

Airbus faced a shortage of engines in January after striking a deal with engine supplier CFM to bring forward some deliveries for December, industry executives have said.

Airbus also saw a drop in the number of first flights that roughly track underlying production levels.

The planemaker staged maiden flights for 38 A320-family and two A220 jets in January, down from 44 and 5 respectively a year earlier, Morris said.

Airbus delivered 766 jets in 2024, close to a headline target of around 700 deliveries, which had been revised down from 800 in the middle of last year due to parts shortages.