Airbus has announced that it will increase production of the A320 Family to 40 per month during the first quarter of 2012, while Boeing is poised to follow suit with its 737 range.
Airbus says that strong demand for the aircraft family has been behind its decision, with the backlog for A320 Family now at over 2200 aircraft. It is expected that this will increase over the next year as the global aviation industry continues its rebound and financing for new aircraft orders once again opens up.
The European manufacturer will gradually step up production over the next two years of the A320 Family, with output currently at 34 aircraft per month. In December this will rise to 36 per month, then 38 August 2011 before rising again in early 2012 to 40. The A340/A330 line will remain at 8.5 units per month.
Boeing is also expected to announce an increase in output from its 737 line. Boeing Company CEO Jim McNerney told analysts in a conference call on July 28 that the company was studying a further increase in 737 output above its currently planned increase to 35 per month from 2012, although supplier issues could limit any increase. An announcement is expected by the start of the northern autumn quarter.
