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By Scott Hamilton

Juergen Westermeier, head of procurement for Airbus. Source: Airbus.

Dec. 12, 2024, © Leeham News: Airbus wants to sharply increase the production rates of its A220, A320, and A350 lines between now and 2027. This has been a goal since emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, continuing supply chain issues repeatedly moved the targets to the right. The A220 production rate goal of 14/mo was moved from 2025 to 2026. A dramatic increase in the A320 family rate to 75/mo is now set for 2027, a delay of more than a year. The new production target for the A350, 12/mo, is now 2028.

Increasing the rates is key for Airbus to meet demand and take full advantage of Boeing’s continuing disruptions as it works to emerge from its long-running safety, quality assurance, and production disruptions.

Airbus officials have been frustrated by the repeated delays in ramping up production and obtaining a reliable stream of parts deliveries from the supply chain. Annual delivery goals are challenging to meet and have fallen short of guidance. Airlines and lessors are unhappy over missed delivery dates.

But the head of Airbus’ procurement believes things are, at long last, on the right track.

Juergen Westermeier explained why in an interview with LNA last month during the Aviation Forum 2024 in Munich.