Airbus has unveiled its ambitious plans for the upcoming years, aiming to increase production rates across its aircraft lineup without compromising on the quality and safety that have become synonymous with the brand. The aerospace giant’s 2023 results were a testament to its resilience and forward-thinking approach, setting the stage for a productive future.
During a press conference on February 15, 2024, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized the company’s dedication to maintaining a balance between quantity and quality. Faury’s remarks come at a time when Airbus has confirmed its intention to escalate the production of its A220, A320 family, A321XLR, and widebody aircraft to meet growing demand while ensuring each plane adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.
The A220 is on track to reach a monthly production rate of 14 aircraft by 2026, while the A320 family is progressing towards a target of 75 aircraft per month in the same year. The A321XLR, a highly anticipated addition to the fleet, is nearing the end of its production phase, with service entry expected between July and September 2024. For its widebody segment, Airbus plans to increase the A330’s production rate to four aircraft per month in 2024, and the A350 to 10 per month by 2026.
Achievements and Future Outlook
Airbus celebrated a successful 2023, delivering 735 aircraft, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. The company aims to surpass this achievement with an estimated 800 deliveries in 2024. The breakdown of 2023 deliveries includes 68 A220s, 571 A320 Family aircraft, 32 A330s, and 64 A350s, contributing to consolidated revenues of $70.1 billion, up 11% year-on-year.
The robust order intake in 2023, totaling 2,094 aircraft after cancellations, significantly bolstered by major orders from IndiGo and Turkish Airlines, has positioned Airbus with a backlog of 8,598 commercial planes. This strong demand underscores the industry’s confidence in Airbus’s ability to innovate and deliver.
Quality Over Quantity
Faury’s passionate response to a question from a New York Times journalist regarding the balance between production acceleration and maintaining quality standards, particularly in light of incidents like the Alaska Airlines flight 1282, underscored Airbus’s unwavering commitment to safety. “It cannot be quantity over quality,” Faury stated, highlighting the rigorous discussions and measures in place to ensure that each aircraft delivered meets Airbus’s stringent quality and safety criteria.
In addition to commercial aviation, Airbus Helicopters maintained stable deliveries with 346 units in 2023, and Airbus Defense and Space saw a revenue increase of 2%. Faury concluded by reflecting on the achievements of 2023 and expressing optimism for continued growth and innovation in 2024, along with a commitment to the company’s decarbonization journey.
Airbus’s 2023 results and future plans paint a picture of a company that is not only focused on expanding its production capabilities but is equally committed to ensuring that each aircraft leaving its factories meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
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