Airbus Industrie is to start producing its A300 and A310 widebody twins on a "build-to-order" basis, in an effort to cut the number of aircraft which are having to be stored before delivery to customers. The A300/A310 firm backlog stands at only 29 aircraft, and the current production rate is one aircraft a month.
Airbus says that from September, assembly of each aircraft will begin no earlier than ten months before the contractual delivery date, and "only if a clear, firm contract and definition is available. Otherwise, the production process is discontinued and the aircraft is not produced". The A300 has been in production since 1972, and the A310 since 1982. About 700 aircraft have been delivered.
The Airbus partners will keep long lead-time parts which have to be produced before assembly begins in storage for use when required, the consortium adds.
Airbus says that the concept could be extended to other types, possibly even the high-volume A320 at Toulouse. "Even there, in terms of contracted delivery dates, there are irregularities," says Airbus. "Sometimes a customer may want to take an aircraft early. Build-to-order provides flexibility."
The A300 backlog of 20 aircraft consists of 17 freighters for FedEx, one passenger aircraft for China Airlines and two for undisclosed customers. Five of the nine A310s on firm order are for Iraqi Airways, although this has been suspended. Other A310 customers are Air Afrique (one), Tarom (one, deferred) and Yemenia (two). Production of these models hit a combined peak of 44 in 1991.
Source: Flight International
