Airbus to increase A320-family production rate from 34 to 36 per month from Dec-2010

Airbus announced (09-Mar-2010) plans to increase A320-family production rates from 34 to 36 per month, effective Dec-2010. A330/A340-family production rates will be maintained at the current level of eight per month. Airbus' decision to raise its narrowbody production rate is "driven by the continuing demand" and a "record backlog in excess of some 2,300 A320-family aircraft". Airbus delivered a total of 498 aircraft in 2009, including 402 A320-family aircraft, both new company records for a single year. The company's target for deliveries in 2010 is to remain at a similar level to 2009. [more]

Airbus: "Leading economic indices and business confidence indicators are showing an upward trend again. We see this reflected in the continuing solid demand for our eco-efficient products and our robust backlog. Thanks to our proactive order book management we have been able to keep production stable during the year of the downturn, but now it is definitely time to think ahead, Aviation is a long-term growth industry. With our prudent decision we will be ready when the market recover," Tom Williams, Executive VP, Programmes. Source: Airbus, 09-Mar-2010.