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Airbus delivered 50 jets in Sept vs 55 a year ago, sources

say

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Planemaker targeting 770 deliveries for the full year

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Global supply chains remain under strain

(Adds details)

PARIS, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Airbus delivered 50

jets in September, down 9% from 55 a year earlier and leaving

nine-month deliveries ahead by a narrow margin as it faces a

sprint towards the finish line in the fourth quarter, industry

sources said.

The European planemaker accelerated the pace of deliveries

following a slow start to the month.

Airbus declined comment ahead of the publication of monthly

data on Oct. 9.

If confirmed, a monthly tally of 50 deliveries would

lift the nine-month total to 497 after 447 achieved between

January and August. At the nine-month stage in 2023, Airbus

delivered 488 jets, implying a 2% annual improvement so far this

year.

Airbus is targeting 770 deliveries for the year, which

means it must increase the pace in the fourth quarter to reach

its key industrial target, which was revised down from 800 jets

in July.

Deliveries traditionally quicken during the final

quarter but analysts are split on whether Airbus can meet its

target.

Airbus has said it is aiming for "around 700"

deliveries, leaving itself an unspecified margin with investors.

"If they continue that 2% improvement they'll achieve

749," said Robert Morris, head of global consultancy at Cirium

Ascend, who expects Airbus to deliver between 740 and 750 jets

in 2024.

Jefferies analyst Chloe Lemarie, who predicts 51

deliveries in September, said in a note this week that the

full-year target was within reach but challenging.

Planemakers and their major suppliers have been

grappling with shortages of parts and labour, and Airbus has

said engines, seats and landing gears are the components most

affected.