Airbus Has New Production Problems

It’s bad news for Airbus, which faces new production difficulties from ongoing part and labour shortages.

The latest pressures will impact the manufacturer’s ability to increase production and ensure on-time customer deliveries. Ultimately, delivering aircraft on time has proved increasingly difficult in recent years.

Sources, however, have not indicated whether Airbus‘ latest difficulties will impact its ability to meet production targets. Airbus is hoping to deliver 800 commercial aeroplanes to customers this calendar year.

A total of 800 deliveries represents an increase from the 2023 forecast. However, 2023 was considered a smooth year despite geopolitical tensions, and Airbus hoped to build on that.

Further delivery delays would be a worst-case scenario for airline customers who cannot take their aircraft on time because of existing shortages.

Supply chain difficulties extend from key parts of aircraft to other elements of building planes, such as cabin interiors. Supply chain issues persist while an aircraft may be ready to proceed to the next stage.

First Quarter Production Updates

During the aircraft manufacturers’ first quarter results, Airbus said it was confident it could increase production levels in the coming years following heightened demand for its aircraft.

As part of that increase, Airbus wants to try to produce 12 A350 jets per month, an increase from the previous maximum of 10 per month.

Other production increases were also expected, including the A330, the A320 family, and more, in response to the ever-growing backlog of aircraft that needed to be delivered.

These first quarter results, published at the end of April, showed the manufacturer staying true to its forecasts, which means it still expects to deliver 800 aircraft in 2024.