Airbus weighs higher A350 output

Airbus is considering boosting its A350 production beyond the current target of twelve aircraft per month by 2028, driven by strong demand from airlines. Lars Wagner, head of Airbus’s Commercial Aircraft division, called the need to increase output "inevitable" during a press conference in Toulouse in October 2026.

Approval and infrastructure needed

The proposed increase requires approval from Airbus’s board of directors and involves building a new assembly line. The current setup is designed for twelve to thirteen aircraft per month, and exceeding that would demand new industrial capabilities, rather than simply speeding up existing systems.

2028 target reaffirmed

Airbus confirmed its 2028 goal of producing twelve A350s per month in its half-year results in July 2026. While discussions about increasing output beyond that were revealed in October 2026, no specific numbers or timelines have been shared. The location for a potential second line remains undecided, with Toulouse as a likely candidate, but no final decision has been made.

Production challenges persist

Airbus faces hurdles in ramping up production, as it must first ensure the current setup functions smoothly. In the first half of 2026, the company delivered 26 A350s out of 351 commercial aircraft, highlighting the gap between current output and the 2028 target. Supply chain issues, particularly with fuselage parts from a former Spirit AeroSystems plant in North Carolina, have caused delays in deliveries.

Exploring new aircraft models

Airbus is also exploring the development of new aircraft models. Lars Wagner mentioned growing interest in an extended A350-2000 and a larger A220-500 variant. However, neither project has been officially launched. Decisions on these models are expected during Airbus’s next five-year planning cycle, though no specific schedules have been announced.

Competition with Boeing

These moves are part of Airbus’s efforts to compete with Boeing in the wide-body aircraft market. The A350 faces competition from Boeing’s 787 and 777X, which have also experienced delays. For Airbus, increasing production capacity would allow it to meet growing demand and adapt the A350 family to evolving needs, but it must balance maintaining its 2028 target with the necessary investments to exceed it.