Airbus to increase A320 Family production rate from 34 to 36, effective December 2010

Airbus will increase the monthly production rate for its single-aisle A320 Family from the current rate of 34 to 36, starting December 2010. The production rate for the long-range A330/A340 Family will be maintained at the current level of eight per month. Airbus’ decision to raise its single-aisle production rate is driven by the continuing demand for its eco-efficient aircraft and a record backlog in excess of some 2,300 A320 Family aircraft.

Tom Williams, Executive Vice President, Programmes, Airbus said, “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. Due 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 recovers.”

As per the company release, Airbus delivered a total of 498 aircraft in 2009, including 402 A320 Family aircraft, both new company records for a single year.