Airbus Questions Widebody Output
By Robert Wall
Airbus officials are more worried about production of widebodies than narrowbodies, owing to a lack of order-book padding on the larger aircraft.
Tom Williams, Airbus executive vice president for programs, told Germany’s press club LPC yesterday in Hamburg that he is “comfortable” with the current delivery plan. Airbus has adjusted production, with narrowbody output being throttled back to 34 units per month and widebody output holding steady at 8.5 units per month.
John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer for customers, is hopeful, however, that by the end of 2010 or 2011 demand may have rebounded to boost output to 40 aircraft.
If there is one area of concern it seems to be the A330/A340 output levels. Williams acknowledges that “we don’t have the cushion on long-range on overbooking that we had on our single aisle.” He notes that overbooking the bigger aircraft is more difficult because they are more customized and therefore not as easily swapped between customers.
As part of its market adjustment, Airbus also has curtailed output plans for the A330-200F freighter, now planning to build only about one per month owing to weakness in the cargo market. The first A330-200F is to fly in the fourth quarter.
The decision to cut narrowbody output from October on also meant Airbus had several planned deliveries it could no longer meet. However, that situation has now been resolved, with William signaling that happened largely by customers deferring positions rather than Airbus having to actively tell an airline it couldn’t get its aircraft.
Despite the downturn in air travel, Williams says Airbus remains overbooked in 2010, particularly in the second half of the year.
Airbus is closely monitoring airlines and their ability to financially absorb aircraft. Pre-delivery payments are still in a good situation, though, Williams says, although occasionally Airbus is reminding customers to also stay on top of payments for buyer-furnished equipment, to avoid an aircraft being built with no cabin to install.
Airbus met last week with suppliers to discuss production issues. Williams said one key message was that while the ramp-up rate for A380 production has been curtailed, the number is still increasing. “The program is still in ramp-up,” Williams says, stressing that “I want to keep the momentum going.”
Photo: Airbus
