Airbus alerts suppliers to single-aisle ramp up

According to Airbus, suppliers are being advised to ‘schedule necessary investments and secure long-term capacity and production rate readiness’ in line with the expected recovery, which is being driven by single-aisle aircraft.

“The aviation sector is beginning to recover from the COVID-19 crisis”, Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO said in a statement. “The message to our supplier community provides visibility to the entire industrial ecosystem to secure the necessary capabilities and be ready when market conditions call for it. In parallel, we are transforming our industrial system by optimising our aerostructures set-up and modernising our A320 Family production facilities. All these actions are set in motion to prepare our future.”

Aerospace sector support will enable recovery and future innovation

Production of A320s will average 45 aircraft per month in the fourth quarter of 2021, rising to a firm rate of 64 by the second quarter of 2023. Suppliers are being asked to anticipate a scenario of rate 70 by the first quarter of 2024 and as many as 75 by 2025.

Airbus further anticipates a monthly production rate of 14 A220s by the middle of the decade, and six A350s per month by autumn 2022. Production of A330s will remain at an average rate of two per month, with Airbus stating it ‘is protecting its ability to further adapt as the market evolves.’

Commenting on Airbus’ announcement, Paul Adams, partner and aerospace & defence sector specialist at management consultancy, Vendigital, said: “This is a significant ramp-up, signalling a clear path back to pre-pandemic production levels. The plan to produce 64 aircraft by Q2 2023 has come sooner than many industry experts expected and indicates growing market confidence.

“During the pandemic, OEMs have been able to address the production backlogs on many programmes, and will welcome the timing of this new surge in demand. However, there is still a risk of supply chain disruption, as some Tier 2 and 3 manufacturers may have only just made it through the pandemic and lack the cash to pay for raw materials.

“The ramp-up mainly affects the A320 and to a lesser extent the A350, which means demand for wide-body aircraft remains well down on pre-pandemic levels. So while the announcement is good news for the sector, some manufacturers may not feel the benefit.”