Airbus recorded cutbacks of its largest A330-900 order in the European OEM’s March orders and deliveries statement, leading to a major reduction in the official backlog for the type.

Long-term retirement totals expected to stay the same, but revised timing could create supply chain issues.

Rising demand in some markets could affect the pace and scope of aircraft retirements, particularly in the narrowbody sector that supports domestic and intra-regional traffic benefiting from rising leisure-traffic flying.