Airbus planning to deliver 320 aircraft in 2004

Airline Industry Information, Oct 15, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

France-based aircraft manufacturer Airbus has said that it expects to deliver 320 aircraft in 2004, a 5% increase on its earlier 2004 forecast.

The manufacturer's CEO Noel Forgeard said that demand from airlines had picked up considerably and that Airbus is aiming to increase production by 10% in 2005 and a further 10% in 2006. If the delivery schedule is accurate then Airbus would extend its lead over its US rival Boeing even further after it overtook the Chicago-based manufacturer in 2003. Boeing does not expect to deliver 320 aircraft until 2005.

Forgeard also told reporters that Airbus may decide before the end of 2004 whether it will be developing a new aircraft based on its existing A320 family that could fly 1,000 nautical miles further than its current models, reports Bloomberg.

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