Airbus has just published its results for the first three quarters of 2022. As in the good old days, the lights are green: 38 billion euros in turnover (35 million at the same time last year, five times more aircraft ordered than at the same time in 2021 and positive growth forecasts.
The future Toulouse assembly line still in preparation
If the suppliers are still trying to cushion the supply and recruitment problems, the manufacturer is charting its course, solidly. The ramp-up forecast of commercial aircraft production are maintained. The A320 program is indeed “on track to reach a production rate of 65 aircraft per month in early 2024 and 75 in 2025“, details the aircraft manufacturer. As a reminder, during the pandemic, the rate of the A320 had fallen to 40 monthly units, it rose to 60 this year, the equivalent of 2019, before Covid.
As for the future A321 assembly line in Cornebarrieu (Lagardère factory), which was announced for the fall before shifting it to early 2023, it is still “In preparation“.
The new long-haul single-aisle A321XLR, capable of providing continental services with nearly 250 passengers on board, is also making progress, the three test aircraft have made their first flights with a view to entering operational service in the second quarter 2024. In addition, Airbus is studying with its subcontractors the possibility of increasing the production rate of wide-body aircraft, type A350, to respond to the resumption of international traffic.