French aerospace giant Airbus Group N.V. (EADSF.PK, EADSY.PK) Friday announced its decision to adjust the production rate for its A330 Family to 9 aircraft from the current rate of 10 a month in the fourth quarter 2015, as it transitions towards the A330neo.
Airbus has been building 10 A330 Family aircraft each month since 2013, which was noted that the industry's highest ever production rate for this aircraft size category.
The A330 belongs to the successful Airbus Widebody aircraft Family, which comprises the A330, A350 XWB and A380, and uniquely spans the 250 to over
500 seats segment.
The A330 Family includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,300 orders, with over 1,100 aircraft flying with more than 100 operators worldwide.
With numerous on-going product enhancements entering service in the coming years, such as the more capable 242 tonne take-off-weight variant, the A330 for regional and domestic routes and the A330neo, the A330 Family remains the most cost-efficient and capable widebody aircraft, averaging operational reliability above 99 percent, the company noted.
Tom Williams, Airbus' Executive Vice President Programmes, said, "Our role as an aircraft manufacturer is to anticipate and adapt our output to ensure we continue to maintain a smooth production flow for Airbus and for our supply chain. With the recent commercial success we've seen following the launch of the A330neo, in addition to the new 242 tonne weight variant and the A330 optimised for regional routes, we are confident we will sustain a steady production through the A330neo ramp up period."
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