Airbus to raise A320 rate

Airbus will increase production of its best-selling single-aisle aircraft family to 46 a month in Q2 2016, up from the current rate 42. The new higher production rate will be achieved gradually, with an intermediate step at 44 aircraft per month in Q1 2016. Over the past five years, Airbus has steadily increased A320 family production, going from rate 36 at the end of 2010 to rate 38 in August 2011, then up to rate 40 in Q1 2012 to reach 42 per month in Q4 of the same year. (Source: Airbus, 02/26/14) Previous: Plant ups A320 output; Airbus ups demand forecast. Gulf Coast note: Airbus will produce A320s in its Mobile, Ala., final assembly line beginning in 2016. It will be the company's fourth A320 assembly line.