Mon, May 23, 2011
Reflects Strong Order Backlog And Continued Stable Growth
Airbus plans to increase the production rate of its A320 Family
of single-aisle aircraft to 42 aircraft per month in the fourth
quarter of 2012. Currently Airbus produces 36 A320 Family aircraft
each month, a production rate that will steadily rise to 38 in
August 2011 and to 40 in the first quarter of 2012. Currently the
production rate for Airbus' long-range A330 Family is 8.5 per
month, increasing to nine in early 2012 and ten in the second
quarter of 2013.
"The low operating costs and high dispatch reliability offered
by the A320 Family make it the best seller in its market" said Tom
Williams, Executive Vice President Programmes. "With a backlog of
over 2,300 A320 Family aircraft to deliver, we need to increase
production to accommodate continuing strong customer demand for
these new ... aircraft".
Airbus delivered a total of 510 aircraft in 2010, including 401
A320 Family aircraft. By the end of April, Airbus had already
delivered 132 A320 Family aircraft and is well on track to exceed
previous years' deliveries.
To keep the A320 Family in the leadership position, Airbus has
recently introduced a new engine option (neo) for the A320 Family
which will enter into service in October 2015. The A320neo Family
incorporates new more efficient engines and large "Sharklet" wing
tip devices which together will are expected to deliver up to 15
percent in fuel savings. This would represent some 3,600 tonnes
less CO2 per aircraft, per year. In addition, the A320neo is
projected to provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and
reduced engine noise.
The A320neo will have over 95 percent airframe commonality with
the existing models making it an easy fit into existing fleets
while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range
or two tonnes more payload. Engines offered on the A320neo are CFM
International's LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney's PurePower
PW1100G.
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