Airbus has no firm deadline for the end of production of its A320 narrowbody, despite the increasing success of its re-engined replacement, the A320neo.
Earlier this week International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) placed an order for 100 A320neo family aircraft, pushing total orders and commitments since its January launch to around 300.
An Airbus spokesman stresses that the market will decide when to phase out the legacy A320.
"As long as there is demand we will continue to build it," he says.
He points to the orders from IndiGo and Virgin America for both A320 and A320neo aircraft as a clear indication that "there is a need for both models".
The spokesman also stresses that operators with existing orders for A320s will not be able to switch these to A320neo at a later date. "There is no possibility of conversion," he says.
There are some 2,357 A320 family aircraft currently in Airbus' order backlog.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
