It had been aiming for a target level of nearly 20% despite technical snags with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine.

But chief financial officer Harald Wilhelm, speaking during a third-quarter briefing on 26 October, disclosed an amended estimate, putting the level below 15%.

Wilhelm pointed out that 24 aircraft had been handed over in the first nine months of this year, and referred to a figure of around 45 in the fourth quarter.

Last year Airbus delivered 491 A320-family jets.

Some 20 A320neos are still “waiting” for engines, says Wilhelm.

While the A320neo contribution has reduced, Wilhelm also raised the airframer’s overall delivery expectations this year to 670 aircraft, compared with a previous estimate of around 650.

He referred to a “pot” of aircraft during the briefing, and noted that the company’s earlier estimate had indicated feasibility to deliver more than 650.