Both Airbus and Boeing are seeking to increase production of their most popular aircraft – a sure indication of an upturn in the cycle.
Production for A320- and 737-type aircraft is being ramped up with Airbus seeking to make 44 per month, with Boeing making 42, respectively within five years.
The news has been leaked by parts suppliers to the aircraft manufacturers that have been requested if such an increase in output could be achieved.
Demand for narrowbody aircraft is always high but during a period of continued economic fragility, the desire to increase output by both manufacturer show they expect a stronger than expected recovery by 2015. With production slots sold out until then, and the Chinese manufactured C919 making inroads in Asia, it makes sound business sense for both manufacturers to ramp up production where they can to be able to cope with demand, counter competition, while also providing a much needed boost for the aviation industry.
Airbus currently produces 36 A320 aircraft, which it hopes to raise to 40 per month in 2012, and potentially 44 by 2015.
Boeing has already announced it will produce 38 737s a month by the second quarter of 2013, with plans to up this to 42 per month by 2015.
Meanwhile, Boeing’s 787 program is under fire again, this time from launch customer All Nippon Airlines, which has expressed its "great disappointment" at repeated delays. The first of ANA’s 55 787 aircraft were due to be delivered two years ago but because it is still waiting, the airline has had to revise its fleet renewal plans.
Chief executive Shinichiro Ito said he was pushing Boeing to present the revised delivery schedule but when asked said he was not sorry he ordered the new Dreamliner, which he described as a “dream”.