Acceleration of A220 production | Airbus needs parts, but also arms

Airbus not only needs to get parts in time to produce more A220s, which must get the program out of the red. The European aircraft manufacturer must also recruit employees. It’s not easy to recruit when labor is scarce and the next generation is less present than before.

“Is this something to manage? A priority item? Yes, recognizes the President and CEO of Airbus Canada, Benoît Schultz. If we are not attractive, if we do not attract young people, we will obviously be in trouble. Yes, it is a priority item. »

The latter commented on the subject, Friday, on the sidelines of a visit by Manufacturers and Exporters of Quebec (MEQ), which ended its tour on the site of the French multinational in Mirabel as part of its second Week of the manufacturer.

There are more than 2,500 people working on the A220 at the Airbus plant located in Mirabel. In the fall of 2021, Mr. Schultz had expressed the wish to create some 500 net jobs over a few years, in the Laurentians. The objective has not yet been reached, even if there have been hirings.

According to Airbus’ intentions, the workforce is expected to grow on the Mirabel side. On Thursday, the company reported that it expects to post 7,000 new positions this year. A third of jobs should be created outside the European continent. Further details are expected next month.

Some 150 positions are currently available at Airbus in Mirabel. The approximately 530 aircraft to be delivered represent work for several years. Mr. Schultz hopes this will send a signal that there are “long-term” possibilities in the company.

After delivering 53 aircraft last year — only three more than in 2021 — the Airbus Canada boss expects more A220s to be handed over to customers this year even as supply challenges persist .

Nineteen examples of the former Bombardier C Series were delivered during the last three months of 2022, a sign, according to Mr. Schultz, that the aircraft manufacturer is able to put behind it the difficulties that have caused it to lose ground. altitude last year.

“We are able to continue ramping up the production rate,” says Schultz. The activity will go beyond rate six (four planes assembled monthly at Mirabel and two at Mobile). »

Airbus hopes to produce 14 A220s per month in 2025, which will take the program out of the red. Despite a turbulent year in 2022 in terms of production and deliveries, the schedule has not changed, assures the leader of Airbus Canada.