Airbus needs more vertical integration, says official

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Introduction

John Leahy

John Leahy, chief operating officer-customers. Airbus photo.

March 3, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Airbus may well have avoided the supplier-driven delivery delays on its A350s had the company brought some key work in-house and become more vertically integrated, says its chief operating officer-customers.

Airbus has been bedeviled by delays in business class seat and galley deliveries from supplier Zodiac, resulting in delayed deliveries of the A350-900 to several airlines.

John Leahy, in an interview with LNC at the International Society for Aircraft Transport Trading (ISTAT) conference Feb. 29-March 1 in Phoenix (AZ), said Airbus shouldn’t be at the mercy of suppliers of interiors. His wide-ranging interview also touched on several other topics.

Summary

  • Airbus should have become more vertically integrated 10 years ago.
  • Basic supply chain solid.
  • Speaks about PW GTF, CFM LEAP
  • Airbus considering higher production rate on A320 than the announced 60/mo.

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