The world's largest planemaker said its quarterly adjusted operating profit rose 54% to 2.43 billion euros as revenues gained 28% to 20.53 billion euros, led by a surge in commercial aircraft deliveries following a slow start to the year.
Analysts were on average expecting the widely watched profit figure to come in at 2.19 billion euros on revenues of 20.25 billion.
The quarterly update came days after Airbus signalled greater confidence in its ability to ramp up production as a bruised aerospace sector turns the corner on supply disruption.
It is aiming for a near doubling of profits and stronger shareholder returns by 2029.
Airbus delivered 237 aircraft in the second quarter, up 39% from the same period last year.
For the full year, it continued to target around 870 commercial deliveries and left financial forecasts unchanged including an adjusted operating profit of 7.5 billion euros.
Airbus kept its target of raising A320-family output to between 70 and 75 planes per month by end-2027, stabilising at 75 a month after that. But it dropped references to engine maker Pratt & Whitney (RTX.N) as the decisive factor in the ramp-up.
Airbus said quarterly profit in Defence and Space jumped 90% to 357 million euros, driven both by higher sales volumes and improved profitability as Europe's spending drive continues.
Rival Boeing (BA.N) on Tuesday reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss but generated positive free cashflow as its turnaround plans gained momentum.
