Airbus is to hike the monthly production rate for its A320 family to 50 from the first quarter of 2017.
It will also cut the rate of the A330, in the first quarter of next year, from nine to just six aircraft.
Airbus has been examining a possible rate increase on the A320 as the backlog for the A320neo has surged.
It has already committed to raising the rate to 46 in 2016.
But the airframer had disclosed, at the beginning of this year, that it was nearing a decision on a possible further rise.
The A320neo – a re-engined version of the current A320 – is due to enter service in the fourth quarter of this year.
Airbus’s other re-engined aircraft, the A330neo, is due to enter service in 2017. The airframer has been trying to close a gap in A330 production slots during the transition to the A330neo.
But while it had already opted to slow monthly production from 10 to nine aircraft in the fourth quarter of this year, Airbus had indicated that it might have to impose a further cut.
“As an aircraft manufacturer, it is our role, for our employees, partners, customers and investors to anticipate market demands whilst delivering on orders and managing revenues,” says executive vice-president for programmes Didier Evrard.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
