A320 assembly line

Airbus is set to raise the output of its A320 aircraft family to 46 per month in the second quarter of 2016, from the current monthly rate of 42.

The company said that the increase of production to the new number is a gradual process, and will begin an intermediate step by producing 44 aircraft per month in the first quarter of 2016.

Airbus Programmes executive vice-president Tom Williams said: "With a record backlogue of over 4,200 A320 Family aircraft and the growing success of the NEO, we have a solid case to increase our monthly output to satisfy our customers’ requirement for more of our fuel efficient aircraft."

Over the last five years, Airbus has gradually increased the A320 aircraft production, from 36 per month at the end of 2010 to 38 in August 2011.

In 2012, the company reached a rate of 40 in Q1 and 42 per month in Q4.

Airbus has currently sold more than 10,200 A320 aircraft, with in excess of 5,900 delivered to nearly 400 customers and operators.

The latest variant in A320 Family, A320neo has secured a total of 2,610 orders.

Image: Airbus’s A320 Family final assembly line in Toulouse. Photo: courtesy of P.Pigeyre/Airbus SAS.

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