Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) and Airbus SE (OTC:EADSY) have no shortage of customers waiting for new planes. The harder part is building enough of them.
Airbus delivered 418 aircraft through July, including 67 in July alone, but still needs to average roughly 90 deliveries a month for the rest of 2026 to reach its annual target of about 870 aircraft. Boeing is also working through a massive commercial backlog as it ramps production.
That puts an unusual spotlight on the companies supplying the engines.
For investors, GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) and RTX Corp (NYSE:RTX) are two of the biggest names to watch as the aerospace industry tries to turn aircraft orders into actual deliveries.
GE Is Ramping Engine Deliveries
GE Aerospace entered the second half of the year with a backlog worth more than $210 billion, including commercial engines, services and other businesses.
More importantly, GE said total engine deliveries rose 31% in the first half of 2026, with deliveries of its LEAP engines up 41%. The LEAP powers Boeing’s 737 MAX and Airbus’ A320neo family through GE’s CFM International joint venture with Safran. GE also said material received from priority suppliers increased at a double-digit rate in the second quarter.
That suggests GE is making progress on one of the industry’s biggest problems: getting enough components into factories to increase output.
Demand isn’t slowing, either. GE recently announced a deal with Copa Airlines for up to 120 LEAP-1B engines, adding another large order to an already substantial commercial pipeline.
RTX Has a Different Engine Opportunity
RTX’s Pratt & Whitney is also seeing strong demand, particularly for its GTF engine, which powers Airbus A320neo-family aircraft.
BOC Aviation recently ordered up to 220 GTF engines for as many as 110 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft. Pratt & Whitney also secured another A320neo-family selection from aircraft lessor Jackson Square Aviation.
But Pratt & Whitney’s story also illustrates the industry’s challenge.
GTF engine issues have contributed to aircraft being taken out of service for inspections and repairs, creating additional pressure on the supply chain. RTX’s second-quarter results showed Pratt & Whitney’s commercial aftermarket sales — revenue from maintaining and repairing engines already in service — jumped 25%, even as commercial original-equipment sales fell 8%.
That is important for investors because aerospace suppliers can benefit from both sides of the cycle: new engines when aircraft production rises and maintenance when older aircraft stay in service longer.
Read Also: RTX Is Prioritizing Broken Engines Over New Planes
The Bottleneck Could Become the Opportunity
The aerospace supply chain is still far from fixed. Honeywell Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:HONA), for example, recently cut its 2026 outlook because supply constraints were making it difficult to meet demand and forcing the company to prioritize deliveries to Boeing and Airbus.
But that is also what makes GE and RTX interesting.
Boeing and Airbus need to increase aircraft deliveries. Airlines need those planes because existing fleets are staying in service longer. And every additional aircraft eventually requires engines, spare parts and years of maintenance.
The winners may not be limited to the companies building the planes.
As Boeing and Airbus race to turn enormous backlogs into deliveries, GE and RTX are racing to make sure the engines — and the aftermarket support behind them — are ready.
Read Also: RTX Lands First U.S. Patriot Order in 30 Years
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