Airbus will increase the production rate of its popular A320 family of eco-efficient single-aisle aircraft to 42 aircraft per month in the fourth quarter of next year. Currently Airbus produces 36 A320 family aircraft each month, a production rate that will steadily rise to 38 in August and to 40 in the first quarter of 2012. Currently the production rate for Airbus’ long-range A330 family is 8.5 per month, increasing to nine in early 2012 and ten in the second quarter of 2013.

“The low operating costs and high dispatch reliability offered by the A320 family make it the best seller in its market” said Tom Williams, executive vice president of Programmes. “With a backlog of over 2,300 A320 family aircraft to deliver, we need to increase production to accommodate continuing strong customer demand for these new eco-efficient aircraft.”

Airbus delivered a total of 510 aircraft in 2010, including 401 A320 family aircraft. By the end of April, Airbus had already delivered 132 A320 family aircraft and is well on track to exceed previous years’ deliveries.

To keep the A320 family in the leadership position, Airbus has recently introduced a new engine option (neo) for the A320 family which will enter into service in October 2015. The A320neo family incorporates new more efficient engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices which together will deliver up to 15 per cent in fuel savings.